Atlas Shrugged is not a short novel and when we had to begin reading our group novel I resented that fact that I was going to have to do more reading than usual. Nevertheless, now being a quarter of the way into Atlas Shrugged and past the beginning part of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I am glad that we are reading two novels simultaneously because I am able to contrast the two.
Although the novels talk about completely different ideas, the authors of the two cover the concept of working for what you get for. In Zen and the Art, Pirsig uses dialogue through the main character to talk about the importance of people earning what they have. Ayn Raynd embodies the opposite of this concept through James Taggart. For James, a work fiend is close to despicable. He more than dislikes the idea of working hard towards a particular goal. I think this mentality James has stems from his history; since Taggart Transcontinental was established before him, he did not have to start from the bottom and work up- things were just given to him.
I enjoy the fact that I can be reading two novels simultaneously and be able to compare and contrast them despite them being on completely different topics. I find it interesting how authors can get the same point across using different tacts. Raynd may use James as a character that dislikes people earning what they get, but it is evident that she does not believe that. James is merely a foil for Dagny, the character I believe she imparts her personal views upon. Essentially, both authors are conveying the same idea, but Raynd is doing it through a foil character as opposed to Pirsig using the narrator directly.
- Talia Akerman
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