Atlas Shrugged

A simple up and down movement of the shoulder.  A shrug: an effortless motion. The meaning behind the title Atlas Shrugged can be interpreted in many different ways. In part one, Dagny continuously tries to put people on the map (Atlas) but most of the small businesses do not seem to care at all. At the same time, Rearden is trying to expand his metal and influence the country but they seem to shrug in indifference and not think much about it. In other words, Rearden and Dagny receive the same response of indifference and shrug to the resentment others give them.  In part two, when Rearden and Francisco met, Francisco asks him what he would tell Atlas, the Greek titan, to do while he tries to hold the world on top of his shoulders. The answer for Francisco, was "to shrug"(pg. 422). If Atlas shrugged, then he would be able to hold the whole world in his arms.