Luis Santos Reaction #4

This weeks reading of Atlas Shrugged was very interesting. In previous readings, it seemed to me that the story was focused on Dagny’s and Rearden’s success. They were able to create a line on Rearden metal, a line that will go faster than any other, a line every business will want to use. To me, the story was at it peak when they opened the line. It continued to stay on that happier note, and that is what made it a bit boring. There was no challenge. This weeks reading however, brought what was missing to the story. The challenge. Looters from all over the country started issuing laws that would prevent Colorado and the John Galt line from retaining its success. It seemed to me as if it was the whole country against Dagny and Rearden. Every businessman was jealous of the two, and they would do anything in their power to bring Dagny and Rearden’s success to an understanding level.  This made the story much more interesting because it added a problem. Personally, I do not take sides, but it is just as nice to see Dagny and Rearden enemies fighting and succeeding in bringing them down, as it is to see their enemies fail. It keeps me interested in the book and eager to know what will happen and who will finally win. I do think the main purpose of all the characters in the novel is to see who will be the richest and most successful. It is as if it is a game and they are all the players. Reading the book and following the characters around is great, because I feel as if I am a player as well. Wanting no one to succeed but myself.