Final Reaction

After cursing Ayn Rand for writing so much, and my English teacher for making me read so much, I can honestly say that Atlas Shrugged is the best novel I have read in my entire life. I now thank Ayn Rand for her inspiring work which has completely changed my view of human nature. I realize now that every single person on this planet is greedy, and that is exactly how it is supposed to be. Each of the main characters in this novel has taught me a valuable lesson. I want to share with you these lessons because I think that they are all necessary for success in life.

Dagny Taggart is the model impresario. She stands by her business regardless of the costs both economic and social. If I had to describe Dagny in one word, it would be determined. Dagny displays her determination throughout the novel. At first, she is determined to build the Rio Norte line efficiently and on time. When society makes it so difficult that everyone else gives up, she finds a way to get it done. Through her determination and unmatchable leadership abilities, the John Galt Line is completed ahead of schedule and it inspires the nation. After completing the feat of a lifetime, Dagny continues to feature her determination through the tireless search to find the creator of the motor in order to reconstruct it. After everyone who can possibly have the answer to her questions has told her that her quest is in vain, she refuses to give up. Dagny uses an alternate plan and funds the reconstruction of the motor. In this novel there is not one situation where the reader sees Dagny Taggart giving up a task. She is always determined to achieve her goal and by the time the novel is over, there is no goal she does not achieve.

Hank Rearden is an extraordinary character and the model entrepreneur. He teaches the importance of hard work. Hank is a self made man who through his tireless efforts and hard work has become a tycoon in the metal industry. He represents the man who does not get tired or lazy and who is always ready to work. Rand uses him to show her readers that hard work pays off. His ten year efforts finally pay off and he created Rearden Metal which shocks the country, and puts the looters in his hands. Rearden demonstrates the need to be proud of one’s accomplishments and shows the reader that there is no shame in being happy with one’s profits.

James Taggart is the most frustrating character in the novel because he has all the assets and connections to be a successful and inspiring executive however he wastes his life and his talents in a game of power. James is always focused on the public opinion rather than on acting on his own beliefs. He thinks that he acts for the benefit of the country but in reality, he digs a deeper grave for the national economy. He is a major part of the looters and he shares their communist philosophies that lead to the destruction of the economy. James Taggart teaches the reader to be exactly the opposite of what he is. Rand uses this character to prove that a focus on public opinion creates failure. She stresses that a successful person follows his own moral code and is proud of his or her individual accomplishments.

John Galt is as Ayn Rand intended: the ideal man. He is the man that every person should strive to resemble. Ayn Rand teaches through Galt the importance of standing up for ones beliefs. Galt creates a strike to show people the mistake in accepting communist ideas. He puts his own personal goals on hold to change something that he knows is wrong. Galt inspires the worlds greatest men to leave their lives behind and join him in the quest of stopping the destruction of freedom. Rand creates Galt and idolizes him the way she does to show the world thats it only takes one man with the right idea to change the world.

With these four characters, Rand paints a picture for the reader of the qualities necessary to be successful in life. She gives each reader the tools to change the world, and she leaves it up to the reader to use these tools in his or her life. Rand also demonstrates the value of a capitalist society and the dire consequences of communism. She highlights the importance of individual goals over collective goals, because if everyone works towards their own success, society’s success happens automatically.