As soon as Dagny Taggart and Hank Reardon began their secret love affair, a wildly different side of Dagny was revealed. I hoped for the two to come together since the beginning of the novel, the idea of two people who represent such distinguished ability and success coming together brings a certain excitement and satisfaction. Of all people in the story thus far, Dagny and Hank seem to be the most alike, both possessing a thirst for power and success in seemingly all aspects of their life. I was more than shocked the the first time that Hank and Dagny became intimate with one another. I was shocked primarily, because not at one point in the story is Dagny portrayed as submissive as she is when she is is intimate with Hank. As a reader, I am used to seeing Dagny Taggart, the executive of the largest railroad in the country. When she is in bed with Hank, she is the exact opposite as she is in the rest of her life. No sight of the intimidating executive can be found as Dagny tells Reardon that she wants to be used, to be at his disposal, on object meant only for this pleasure. In one way, it makes Dangy seem more human, but in another, my view of Dagny has somewhat faltered as I watch her continuously degrade herself in a human vice that I thought she was above. I know that it seems harsh for me to do this, but I had such high expectations of Dagny as a leader of her company and a pioneer for all women in her time period that submitting so easily to a man does not seem to fit her character. I try to remind myself that this shows that Dagny is truly a human and has human needs and desires that cannot be fulfilled solely by building a railroad. I continue my reading trying to remind myself that Dagny has been alone for so long in order to maintain my respect and enthusiasm for her endeavors.
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