Jerry Bonnell Reaction 8

As this book draws to a close, there are still major elements of the plot left to be revealed. After an endless amount of searching, Dagny discovers the truth about the disappearance and reckless abandonment of the Twentieth Century Motor company. Ironically enough, she discovers this information from a hobo who has snuck into her train. His name is Jeff Allen, and he is one of the originators of the phrase “who is John Galt?” Upon the death of the original owners of the motor company, the new owners decided to institute communist practices – “from each according to his ability, to each according his need.”

This principle seems like an equitable way of structuring society, where people’s needs would be fulfilled. Yet, who decides what people’s needs are? Ironically, this is where communist ideals fail. Sharing is in fact a hindrance to economic and personal progress. Workers and engineers are being forced to work overtime at the company without any extra pay. Income is no longer part of the production process, and by that regard, all incentive is lost.

John Galt emerges as the underlying figure that proposes a revolution against the Twentieth Century Motor company’s “new” ideals. He is also revealed as the main engineer behind the breakthrough motor Dagny and Rearden have been so intent on finding. Galt forces the company into bankruptcy by declaring that he will “stop the motor of the world” and go on strike. Although his intentions are strangely and wildly admirable, I find his methods questionable. Is it worth it to shut down the world in order to make a point? Doesn’t his strike cause thousands of people to suffer economically and personally? What if it ultimately fails? How will the world cope? One could argue that it doesn’t matter; if John Galt is a true egoist, then he would only act in his self-interest, regardless of who he hurts.

Two-thirds of the way into the novel, John Galt steals the spotlight from Dagny. Her presence is no longer as striking as it once was, now that she is at his side. John Galt is described as a perfect, perhaps Christ-like figure, above all blame and reproach. Yet, I find this problematic. Rand went at lengths for the majority of the novel focusing on Dagny only to sideline her and her ideals the minute John Galt appears. Why does it seem like all of Dagny’s efforts have gone to waste? It seems like John Galt’s strike is the easy way out. Doesn’t Rand value productivity and progress? Galt’s strike is little more than a temper tantrum. It is neither mature nor intelligent to withdraw from difficult situations simply because one is not interested in working through them. It will be interesting to see how John Galt achieves his goal, or conversely, how he fails to do so.