This weeks reading of atlas shrugged was definitely my favorite thus
far. I was surprised to find a new side of most of the main characters. I would
have never guessed that Dagny would quit her job, James would support the Directive,
and Francisco would look for Dagny.
I always viewed Dagny as a persistent and devoted businesswoman.
Never would I guess that she would quit her job just because of a law she did
not agree with. I would imagine Dagny would fight for what she believes is
right. That is what she has done so far in the novel. I wonder what made her
reach that breaking point.
As for James, I was unpleasantly surprised with his decision to
support the Directive. I completely disagree with such communist efforts to
change the government. Up to that point in the novel, I found myself to be
pretty similar to James. We had the same views on money; that it isn't
everything people need in life. Now, that I see James being a strong supporter
of the Directive, I rule out any previous beliefs of mine, which considered us
to have similar morals. I think that his efforts to change the government are
just because he isn't happy with his own success. Most people view him are the
reason why Taggart Transcontinental is so successful. He knows he did close to
nothing to the success of this business, so he has an internal conflict. Which,
in my opinion is the reason for his radical actions.
Francisco surprised me when he went looking for Dagny. It confuses
me because he claims to still love Dagny, yet he spent 12 years without looking
for her. If he loves her why does he make no effort to look for her? I find
Dagny a bit harder to understand. I know for a fact she loves Hank, but I cannot
tell whether or not she likes Francisco. He was her first love, so I assume she
still does, but she never says anything out it or thinks about him. The love
triangle is confusing yet interesting to me. I am curious to see how it will
unfold.
Now, for my favorite part; the meeting Hank has
with the mystery man. I'm not sure I know who that man is, but I am sure he
isn't who he claims to be. Why would a "nobody" randomly offer rich businessmen
a bar of gold? And then why would the police come around looking for him? It
doesn't make sense. He has to be an extremely important man. With his strange
views of society, I believe everything that he says is foreshadowing for what
is to come. Hopefully I am right, and the man is someone very important. I am
starting to get bored of the usual characters and I am ready for change; for
new people and different kinds of problems.
In a way I disagree with the beliefs Luis has about Dagny. I understand why he thinks she would never quit her job because of a law, but I on the other hand see it as completely her personality. Luis said he felt she would have fought back, but in a way I think this is her silently showing disapproval. Not every fight has to be a war with words for Dagny, she is capable of much more than that, like influence. Dagny leaving her job due to a law is something that sums up her character. She is willing to do anything to show what she believes and how she thinks.
ReplyDeleteDagny is a powerful character but I am also confused into the reasoning as why she simply decided to, in a way, disappear. Maybe it is not meant to be understood; maybe Dagny goes off to collect herself and figure out what there is to do now that she sees the government falling about and taking down all of those she finds as intellectuals with them. The government has officially ruined her life and they, leaving her, have cut everything she wished to accomplish; I believe, to find something else.
I actually saw it coming that Dagny would quit her job. It was only natural after all the shortcomings and tension put on her. She did not quit just becuase the law did not agree with her, but becuase she was worn down and knew that there was no other alternative. Also, your view of Francisco is a bit strange. Francisco has always maintained his connection with Dagny. The reason for him not pursuing her was a secret which he refuses to tell.However, I too am interested to see how the relationship between him and Dagny will end up.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw it coming that Dagny would quit her job. It was only natural after all the shortcomings and tension put on her. She did not quit just becuase the law did not agree with her, but becuase she was worn down and knew that there was no other alternative. Also, your view of Francisco is a bit strange. Francisco has always maintained his connection with Dagny. The reason for him not pursuing her was a secret which he refuses to tell.However, I too am interested to see how the relationship between him and Dagny will end up.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw it coming that Dagny would quit her job. It was only natural after all the shortcomings and tension put on her. She did not quit just becuase the law did not agree with her, but becuase she was worn down and knew that there was no other alternative. Also, your view of Francisco is a bit strange. Francisco has always maintained his connection with Dagny. The reason for him not pursuing her was a secret which he refuses to tell.However, I too am interested to see how the relationship between him and Dagny will end up.
ReplyDelete