Meaghan Sylver's reaction #8

One topic I find engaging in Atlas Shrugged is that of love and how others perceive each other. Love has become something that now surrounds Dagny, while at the beginning of the novel I thought she would never be able to find true love of any sort. Dagny, even being described as cold-hearted through the start of the novel, has been able to find love without having to change who she is, something I thought might have been required in order for the feelings of love between her and another to be accomplished.

Dagny’s relationship with Rearden is one that is unique.  They are a couple who is in true love, doing things for the other simply because they want to. What makes their relationship so successful is the idea that neither of them expects anything from the other but the love they give and in turn, receive. For example, Dagny never expects to get coats or jewelry from Rearden, but he gives them because he merely wants to know that she belongs to him and demonstrate the love he feels toward her. Given that Dagny does not expect anything from him leaves his actions up to the element of surprise, keeping their relationship active and ever-changing.

However it is not only Rearden that loves Dagny but also other characters like Francisco and Eddie. It is interesting how many people have fallen in love with Dagny, especially since it takes a certain type of person to fall in love with her. It is not possible for just an average person to be in a relationship with Dagny. The person needs to be of a higher intellect to be able to relate to her and truly understand all about her. That person needs to understand that when Dagny is forceful and to the point it is only to get something accomplished. The thing about Dagny that needs to be understood the most in order to be able to relate to her is the idea of motivation and what makes her run the railroad and not give up even in moments where it looks like the sole outcome will be despair.

Rearden, Francisco, and Eddie are characters that over the years have been able to see Dagny’s visions and support her because they understand the meaning to her actions. It takes a very special person to love Dagny, but in this book there are plenty of characters that do. One reason it takes a special person is because if they are not of the same intellectual level or higher, Dagny’s actions will be completely misunderstood and deemed idiotic to some. Dagny’s personality and intellectuality allow her to be a strong woman who needs a certain man to feel inspired, loved, and understood.