Olivia Thaler Atlas Shrugged p. 48-154

Ayn Rand uses this portion of the book to develop characters and the relationships between those characters. Rand focuses tremendously on the depth and dimension of Dagny Taggart’s personality, along with her relationship with men like her brother, Rearden, and Francisco. Dagny’s character is probably the most notable in the book. Not only is she a women in a man’s world, but she has not been afraid to put other men in their place. Men like her brother fall helplessly into traps, but she sees past the money and searches for potential. Francisco is one of the only men who see her greatness, which is why he has been so infatuated with her since their young years. But some questions still remain in relation to Dagny. Why does Richard’s Hailey’s music constantly stop her in her tracks? Why is she so attracted to men like Francisco, yet she often stops herself from moving forward with him?

There is also a focus on Rearden’s trouble with understanding the rest of his community, as well as the community’s trouble with understanding him. His family, friends, acquaintances do not wish to look past the intense love he has for his business. They believe it is the only thing that makes him happy, and Rearden allows them to put him down and make him feel guilty. Two things make him happy in his life, one being his industry, the other being seeing other people happy. But his introvert personality does not allow for that to be revealed. Only two characters seem to see past Rearden’s exterior, Dagny and Francisco.

This portion of the book aids in revealing the harsh and cruel world of the railroad business. The deceitfulness involved, the corruption and the lack of straightforwardness in politics are what have defined the business. Rand makes clear that it is a dog-eat-dog environment, and competition will still be plenty even when a bill against it is passed. Through the ups and the downs of the railroad industry, we become aware of the personalities that will thrive, like those of Dagny and Rearden, and those that will fall, like that of Jim Taggart. Relationships will inevitably become stronger as the book progresses, and relationships will play a heavy role in success in the railroad business.  

One extremely important even that has occurred is some kind of telling as to who John Galt is. The phrase, “Who is John Galt?” has been an agonizing mystery so far in the novel. Although we do find out who he is, we are still not sure of his significance in the novel’s plot. Does his identity play a role in the railroad industry, or is it a symbol of something greater?