The beginning of “Atlas Shrugged” is rather intriguing to say
the least. We learn the characters’ status and power within, or outside the
Taggart Transcontinental Company. Rand’s decision to start off by introducing
the readers to the railroad company creates for a convivial storyline. From the
start it wasn’t difficult to figure out that Eddie Willers is narrow minded,
stubborn, and conceited, making it easy to draw a comparison to both Dagny and
Ayn Rand.
At the end
of the introduction Rand mentions that a creator must follow their beliefs and
not anyone else’s. Similarly, I felt that both Dagny and Eddie were confident
in what they believed, and nothing that anybody would say could change their
minds. On the other hand, President of Taggart Company, James, is made to be
the antagonist as he merely tries to go against everything Eddie and Dagny
believe in. He constantly seems aggravated and I think it is due to the fact
that Dagny and Eddie are so narrow minded.
I felt that
Ayn Rand tried to embody herself into the character Dagny. Dagny resembles
everything about Rand because she shows that she is more powerful than her
brother James and she doesn’t give a damn about what anybody wants or says. She
has her own beliefs and they embody the ethics that Rand believes in.
The second
Chapter alters completely in tone and energy. His family and friends are
constantly abusing Rearden verbally. I was able to realize from that, that
becoming successful has no meaning to his family and through their disapproval
he was able to become a successful steel seller. In some ways he is also
similar to Dagny and Eddie in the sense that he doesn’t take into consideration
what others say and only worries about self-interests. This mindset is what makes all of these characters
successful in “Atlas Shrugged”, so far.
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