After
reading Atlas Shrugged, I can say that it has been the most thought-provoking
and inspiring book I have ever read. Rand’s ability to represent values through
her writing is amazing. I can easily say that the novel has changed my perspective
on many aspects of life. I enjoyed feeling like an outsider observing a variety
of people whose personalities reflect on each other and bring out the best and
worst in each other. What makes the novel the most successful is the way Rand
develops the characters and portrays them in so many angles. In other words, I
now feel as if I am the most uninteresting person in the world, because I
compare myself to them.
Before
I read Atlas Shrugged, I had many of the same beliefs that those who are not
intellectual in the novel had. I believed that money was the root of all evil,
that I have to think of others before I think of myself, that the wealthy are
sinful, that the poor are helpless, etc. Now, my perspective on all of those
ideas, and many more, have changed.
Firstly,
I was very interested in the way Rand indirectly brings up religion through the
plot line. My idea of what “sin” and “sinning” is has changed. As a catholic, I
was brought up to believe that finding pleasure in things is often a sin.
Through characters like Rearden, I realize that man should never have to feel
guilty about being successful, nor should he feel guilty in feeling pleasure
through his success. Now that I think back, it is almost absurd. We are born to
live for ourselves, so why would it ever be wrong for us to be selfish or to
think of ourselves?
Secondly,
I liked the political aspect of the book. It relates to topics such as how to
deal with the poor, how to help those in “need” be more successful. Previously,
I had believed that the rich should have to give to the poor. Now I realize
that there is much more that plays into this whole ideal. Taking away from
those who have worked for their money, shows that we must live for the sake of
another man. Taking advantage of the deserving in order to equalize the playing
field for those who are undeserving is an almost irrational concept to me now. People
of power do not understand that taking advantage of intellectuals will lead
those intellectuals, who have the real power, to simply stop the progression of
society. That is John Galt’s whole idea: the great minds of the world are what
incite progression in society, so it is absurd to prevent them from improving
just for the sake of those who are average and have no motivation to prove
otherwise. It is a vicious cycle. It is not right to “force a mind,” because
that mind will eventually realize that there is nothing in it for him, and will
stop cooperating.
My
favorite character in the novel is Dagny. She represents motivation where no
motivation is found. There is so much depth in her personality, which is why it
seems that every man is after her. I feel proud of her, and almost envy her a
little, whenever men like Rearden, Galt, D’Anconia, and Willers drool over her.
I was sad when she chose Galt over Rearden, because I felt the history between the
two would keep them together. I am still glad that Dagny and Galt love each
other, because they will be a positive force in society as a whole.
There
were so many instances in the novel when my heart melted. I got emotional for
the characters because I wanted them to succeed. I feel this shows how
effective a writer Rand is. When Cherryl “goes off into space,” I wanted to
cry. Through characters like Cherryl and Willers, Rand represents those whose eagerness
for life has been destroyed by the harsh nature of how life is run in society.
My favorite part of the novel was when Galt, without fear, guilt, or pain, took
on all the hatred of the men who despise him in the electric chair. I was
struck with awe when Galt showed no pain or fear as he told the men who were
torturing him how to fix the engine that was electrocuting him. This was inspiring
to me. Because I was often annoyed by Jim Taggart as a character and often
furious with him as well, I was glad that in the end he had almost had an
epiphany. He realized that he lives not to help others, but to destroy them.
Another
aspect I found interesting was the concept of “superheroes” and “the lost world
of Atlantis.” The superheroes, or the great minds, in their lost world of
Atlantis, or the hidden valley, represent what makes the world go round. The
world without these great minds is one of havoc, and a world controlled by
hypocrites is what leads these great minds to leaving the world. I will be
recommending this book to many people, and I hope to read it again myself.
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