Rand emphasizes morals
in this section of the novel. The book has us question what morals really are
by bringing up topics such as love and competition. Rearden is disgusted with Lillian and cannot
get Dagny out of his thoughts. The author makes us hate the victim in this
case, Lillian. We want Dagny and Rearden to unite, even though it is the wrong
thing to do and not moral. To be moral to someone, you have to respect them. It
is clear the Rearden does not respect anyone who does not have a clear purpose
or motivation in life; we can see that through his relationship with Lillian,
who seems satisfied with fitting a role and social acceptation more than
anything else. This is why he has cheated on her, because he finds no basis to
respect her for. His infatuation with Dagny is due to his respect for her
confidence and self-worth. In our society, it is looked down upon to cheat on a
husband or wife, but the contradictions in morals that the novel brings up
makes us contradict ourselves. As relates to the steel industry, people often
look down upon the importance of material success. They assume that anyone in
great wealth has poor morals and views on life. Competition brings out jealousy
in men; those who have not reached certain levels of success criticize those
who do. In reality, they are simply in want of material gain themselves, so
criticizing the successful makes them hypocritical.
The novel is successful
in raising questions, and only hinting at the answers. As Dagny vigilantly
deals with self-absorbed men in order to find the creator of the abandoned
motor, she becomes aware of mysteries that have yet to be solved in the steel
industry. I wonder where all the important business men of the steel industry
have been disappearing to. As the novel progresses, hopefully the puzzle will
become clearer and connections will be made.
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