Atlas Shrugged

Book Review: ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand

Taggart Transcontinental is not to be excluded on the effects of declining economic situations experienced by the whole country. Dagny Taggart, the vice president in-charge of operations, upon her visit to the Rio Norte Line to inspect the damages it maintains, goes straight to her brother's office and reports that the line needs immediate attention and for that she has already ordered Rearden Metal to be used for that line. Jim denounced her decisions and actions not just because she does not have authority to make those orders but also Rearden Metal is not yet tried before by others. Dagny's plan to rebuild this important line is held back when most of the corporation's business contacts and suppliers as well as own personnels are suddenly leaving and mysteriously vanishing. Meanwhile, Dagny's brother Jim uses his political influence to save his railroad and thus the Anti Dog-Eat-Dog Rule was approved to rid of competitions in railroad, specifically Taggart's competitors. Dagny's plans of rebuilding were further hampered when the State Science Institute publicly deprecates Rearden Metal although this is the best type of metal ever formulated and invented. Focused to rebuild her line, Dagny decides to start her own company where she would take all the risks and responsibilities of using Rearden Metal, and once the line was built, she would then have to return the line to Taggart Transcontinental. Her decision was not a disappointment and proved to be a surprising success. Then, a new set of law called Directive 10-289 was passed and includes a decree that all patents or inventions are to be taken over by the government for public use. Dagny quits and retreats to an old family house in the mountains. She was followed there by Francisco where he now tells her everything he has been up to. However, upon hearing news about a new railroad accident, she rushes back to her office and takes over again. Then in pursuit of the scientist she has assigned to rebuild a motor that can transform static energy to kinetic energy that she and Hank have discovered, she crashes into an unknown location where all the missing great minds are living. They are on strike describing it a strike of the mind. There she came to know the real John Galt and was able to live with him for a month. They agreed that she could come back in the valley as long as she is fully ready.. When she returned to her work, she found out that the railroad has also been nationalized. In an effort to gain control of d'Anconia's mills, the government puts on a riot at Rearden Steel where Francisco saves Rearden's life and the latter finally joined the stike of the mind. Just as Mr. Thompsom, the Head of the State, prepares to give a speech about the present economic condition, John Galt intercepts the line and gives the real condition of the country. The government seeks Galt for any help that he can offer to alleviate the conditions of the country and when Galt was found by the government, he was tortured to give in to the government's terms. Galt never gave in and at the torture chamber, he was rescued by Dagny, Francisco, and Hank. Dagny finally joins the strike and returns to the valley with all the rest of the great minds and the strikers. Dagny tells John Galt that this is finally the end but John answers back that this is only the beginning as the looter's time is over and they are now prepared to return.

Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand written principally to exhibit her philosophical views and beliefs. Accordingly, the main theme or concept where the story revolves in is about her philosophy of objectivism and the power of the mind. In the novel, Ayn Rand demonstrated that the mind is the most essential tool for humanity, and reason is its utmost virtue. Without the mind, as illustrated in the novel, the society or human nature in general is destined to absolute failure. The emphasis is laid upon the idea that mind is the only means by which man can arrive at prosperity. The mind is hence the motive power that drives civilization. The ability to think rationally and to apply rational thought in inventive assembly makes man's happiness and success possible. The rational mind, according to Ayn Rand, is behind every idea and invention that has moved the civilization forward. Without the mind, men are plunged into chaos and cease to produce. The strike of the mind carries with it serious consequences and thus shall never be taken for granted. The withdrawal of the strikers' mind, as exemplified in the novel, hastened the destruction of the civil society and brought the looters closer to their ultimate nothingness. The novel revolves around Rand's idea that if the great minds are being compelled to think not for their own interest but to work in consideration of the welfare of others, the mind for that reason is deprived of maintaining a rational thought. In Atlas Shrugged, the great industrialists and businessmen are slowly disappearing because their motive for thinking is being bargained with the principles that are contrary to their moral obligations. As portrayed in the novel, the only moral obligation that an individual has is to remain focused on themselves and seek his own happiness through the implementation of his own distinctive talents. That an individual does not have any moral commitment to another man except to respect his rights. Rand in this manner stresses that every man shall never interfere with the businesses of another man. That everyone takes responsibility for themselves, their actions, and their decisions and there shall never be false realities. Rand's another theme of non-interference is clearly demonstrated when, the moment the government interferes with the private businesses of individuals by virtue of the good of the state, would result in the destruction of efficient production. In the novel, because of this action, the thinkers withdrew their minds to oppose the oppression of thought and the obligatory moral code of self-sacrifice that necessitates them to work only to serve the needs of others. This implicates that men, in whatever matter, should never be compelled to act or believe in any ideas other than his own. Man must be self-motivated and even be selfish. In the sense that he is motivated for his own values so as to achieve happiness and success. This ideal man should then be uncompromising and shall always follow his rational self-interest in his action.

The theme presented in the novel is very unique and does carry a fresh insight. The theme, reflecting Rand's philosophy, is in opposition to many of the other philosophers' stance that men subsists not just for himself but also in relation to others. The theme implies that, though not generally, man must live not to relate with others