Atlas Shrugged Reaction #1 : Zane Van de Put

           So far through my reading I have enjoyed the novel. The character I like the most so far is Dagney Taggart. She is a very intelligent woman who works harder than anyone else in the story. However, she does not get the recognition she deserves. I found that Dagney closely resembles Henry Rearden. They are both business driven and very successful. They also both started off in low paid grade jobs then worked their way up to the top. The only thing they want to do is to make the most money possible. As a consequence they have no emotional relationship with their family or friends.  

I found it interesting how Ayn Rand started the novel. Rand introduces Eddie first, out of all the other characters. It seems to me that Eddie has the least significant role out of any of the characters. He has the lowest position out of the characters. However, he is an important character because of his relationship with the Taggart siblings. They were childhood friends and now work together. However, Eddie is far below them in position and status. James does not consider any of Eddie’s suggestions and Dagney makes Eddie do her dirty work. It leaves me to wonder what Eddie’s significance in the story is later on.

            In the end of my reading I was left with many questions like: Will Larkin betray Rearden, his childhood best friend, or tell him what James Taggart is planning to do? What is the significance of Richard Halley and his music? What will happen between James Taggart and his sister? And finally, Who is John Galt?