Sunday, August 25, 2013

Atlas Shrugged Reaction #2 (pg. 48-115): Libby Evans

From the beginning of Chapter three, you get a more in depth understanding of the characters personalities through past relations. Right off, Jim Taggart is having a suspicious meeting to discuss the actions of his sister which involved making justifications for whatever they were planning. Jim seems determined to defy his sister and prove his right to being president, even if it means driving the railroad into ruin. Jim does not realize that though Dagny is better at upfront money making, she does not excel in the shady side which Jim finds so natural. Such actions expose his shallow maliciousness, which may be caused by his never being better than he even as a child. Eddie was neglected a bit in the further development of his personality. His main role in the chapter was provoking emotion from Dagny through his concerns about the railroad. Such would be his revealing that the contractor for the new branch retired and the mention of Francisco in relation to the Mexican train line. The introduction of a new character, Francisco d’Anconia, serves to reveal an emotional side to Dagny not present since childhood. Francisco is portrayed as an arrogant yet passionate man. He has a complicated nature which prevents others from learning his true feelings except for the determination to try anything offered to him. A deeper understanding of Dagny is achieved through detailed explanations of their past relationship. Dagny takes on a new light which makes her more relatable and clears up questions as to why she became so bitter and her love to take on new challenges.

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