The domination of the
railroad industry by large monopolies destroys the ability of smaller companies
to exist. The larger companies have an impressive magnitude of power and
“defend” the industry at all costs. Once Dagny decides to disassociate herself
from Taggart Transcontinental she goes to James to make sure that there will be
no interference with the John Galt Line. Despite James’ promise to Dagny,
Washington ends up passing a bill making it nearly impossible for Dagny to
finish the line. The passage of the bill allowed me to see a critique that Rand
is placing upon capitalistic societies as well as human nature.
The railroad
industry itself is a microcosm for the capitalistic countries of the world. The
passing of the bill enabled me to see that in a capitalistic society, when
those that are in control begin to lose control, they will do everything in
their power to keep it. This “sacrifice” comes at the expense of future
successes. Nevertheless, the criticism is not just on the ways of a capitalist
society, but on human nature. This overwhelming sense of greed and a need to
control is what I believe causes capitalist societies to arise in the first
place. Some people are able to resist the desire to control more than others.
However, those that cannot control it end up ruining progress for others.
Raynd also seems
to have Rearden and Dagny as representations of giving in to human nature.
After riding on the first track of the John Galt Line, they end up sleeping
with one another. The next day, however, they only speak out about how much
they loathe themselves for it. It seems that the dystopian world Raynd portrays
is so unhappy because people hate themselves for things that are only
natural.
- Talia Akerman
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