Ayn Rand’s, “Atlas Shrugged” was a peculiar read. When the novel was fist
assigned, I was looking forward to reading it. I had heard a movie had been
released on it, and that it showed promise. My expectations were very high, as
I began to read the novel; unfortunately my emotions began to die out, but then
returned. This was not because the novel was bad. On the contrary it was very
good. I was hooked on a series of questions that my mind made as I read, but
what I liked even more was the answers to those questions, because after a
question was answered a new one branched off from that making a vicious cycle,
that I found to be quite entertaining.
The introduction of each character
and that mysterious question that echoed through my mind (“Who is John Galt?”) was
what mainly kept me engaged. It was when I reached the middle of the novel that
the excitement was slowly diminishing. Dagny’s affair with Rearden was the only
thing that kept me awake. I noticed Rand became very repetitive, and her
political views, which I found to be disagreeable, became clearer as the novel
progressed. I found myself with feelings had gone bland. It was when I reached
the 600s that the urge, or desire to continue reading returned.
Rand used a
technique that I found quite interesting. In my opinion she devised the novel
to be the most exciting at the beginning in order to create a hook. Then using a
very common technique; she left the best for last.
Her
characters were outstanding. She devised a wide variety of them, making it
impossible for any reader not to identify themselves in at least one of them.
For example, Dagny Taggart the Vice President of one of the only remaining
viable companies shows a strong character, with no fear and no repercussion to
anything. I for one thought she was brave, as we saw when she purchased a
plane, to pursue another with no known location of to where is was headed. Then
crashing it during landing. She also showed signs of fearlessness from anything;
it was exemplified when she denounced the government on live radio.
Although not specified by Rand, I
believe that the question of the hero in the novel was vested upon Dagny. It
was not until towards the end of the novel that I realized this. Dagny, also
being the main character, is the one whose ideas spark change in the reader;
well at least in me. As I read, the character of John Galt was revealed. I was
not sure whom to think of as the hero of the novel, either Dagny or John. Galt
the man that formally initiated the strike against the government, that he
vowed to stop and their abusive tactics, is the one that originally has the
ideas of revolt, as it was said various times in the novel. Although he was the
man to start the revolt, I believe Dagny’s brave decision to return to the real
world, where nothing but negative ideals waited for her as soon as she arrived
was the most courageous. She had experienced both worlds, and knowingly
choosing the less appropriate one was mind-boggling. She was not able to bear
the idea that everything was just abandoned, especially after the hard work
dedicated to Taggart Trans Continental. This is what mainly sets her apart from
the rest of the “disappeared”, she was not selfish to a certain point, in my
mind making her the better person; better than Galt.
The feelings created by Rand’s
political views were not my favorite part of the novel. It was clear of her
desire to acquire a liberal government. I consider this type of government a
bit to extreme, to the extent that selfishness is a problem and the individual
citizen is allowed to do as they please; many people today find it a bit
radical, I even received crazy looks from two teachers when I walked into their
classes with the book in hand. Although my ideals of a neoliberal economy are
also similar hers, I would have enjoyed the novel more if it would have been
omitted, but then giving the book no purpose. So I do understand her choice to
reveal her views to the reader in order to make the plot more convincing as a
whole. I do believe though that an equilibrium can be reached. Removing the
greed, and feelings of selfishness would make her views more acceptable in
today’s society.
The novel as a whole is mind
altering, although I don’t agree with all of Rand’s political views, I find
that she implements them extremely well. The plot was very interesting and the
various characters made a wide variety of opinions. Giving me a wider
perspective to use today. Although I criticized the novel, I believe that it is
a must read. The ending could not have been a better closure to all the issues
presented by Rand, making this novel one of my favorite.
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