At a suspenseful point in the novel an Errol Flynn-esque character comes crashing through a window to save the day. Rand was a screenwriter before (and even after) launching into a successful career as an author, but I wonder if her screenplays had the same Hollywood dramatics as a few moments in “Atlas Shrugged”.
I had to raise an eyebrow at the actions of this misplaced pirate in her novel, along with a few other scenes that left me unintentionally amused. Some of them include: the heroine falling madly in love, becoming mistress to a man’s values (it couldn’t have been the man himself could it? I’ll leave this vague for the sake of those who haven’t read the book), the countless references to characters exchanging glances loaded with emotionlessness (do Rand’s heroes feel anything?), and the smug attitude of her heroes when they are leaving New York City at one point in the novel, confident that because they are leaving there is no one else of value left behind. Hmm…
“Atlas Shrugged” can be critiqued through the lens of a novel or a philosophical work. Continuing with the former, I felt the elitist attitudes of the characters (as a result of Rand’s philosophy) were difficult to swallow. The character’s attitude about leaving the people of New York behind, as mentioned above, is written within the context of the story. But because it is within the context of the story, as part of the author’s premise, I had big problems with it. Egoism is extolled as virtue for Rand. But the characters I read about with their unfounded conceit (with the exception of Hank Rearden and maybe one or two others) made me say out loud: Please…
The Essay on Character Analysis Of Jem Finch Of To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird Essay - Character Analysis of Jem Finch German Finch. What can you say about him? Well, you can say that he is a pretty great character. In the next couple pages, Ill tell you just why this is. Ill also explain my views on this important literary figure. So sit back, relax, and get ready for the A&E Biography of German Finch (Well, not really A&E Biography, but good ...
As characters in a novel go, Rand’s fall flat. The men and women of “Shrugged” are either for her (Rand) or against her. Without hyperbole, the characters are either a bumbling, fearful, unctuous idiot or a courageous, idealistic, intelligent, beautiful, and emotionless amalgam of stereotypical wonder. In Dagny Taggart’s persona, Rand seems to put herself on the page. Needless to say, the characters often come across as either larger than life (which could be ok) to totally unbelievable (which hurts the story).
Her style of describing the fools as “fat” and “toady” is blatant and manipulative. I would have loved to see John Galt (Rand’s “perfect man”) have at least one vice to his character. Or even better-one intelligent character, who is not a doomed fool, openly challenge John Galt’s movement.
“Atlas Shrugged” is too long. At the two-thirds stage (still only 650 pages into the book!) I had more than gotten the gist of the story, the essence of Rand’s philosophy, how great Rand, Galt, and Senator McCarthy are (in that order), and knew exactly what Galt had been doing in NYC well before Rand decides to cash in on her many hints to finally reveal his occupation. I did enjoy watching to see just what it took to sway Rearden to Galt’s point of view. And enough “set-up’s” and “pay-off’s” are created to establish suspense. However, Rand loves her ideas to the point excess. At worst she is writing diatribe. At best she rambles ad nauseam. (See Galt’s continuous stream of consciousness– 50 pages plus!).
Concerning her philosophy, Objectivism, I don’t mean to say her ideas are bunk. I don’t believe that. Long live capitalism. For personal application, the basic tenet of Randism is for a person to cherish individualism and pursue happiness as the highest goal. Good. Fine. No problem. Be productive, seek value in one’s work, and assume responsibility for one’s own place and progress in life. Great. Why not? But the notion of Objectivism abhorring any form of altruism as evil seems like an excuse and misunderstanding of selflessness. This philosophical notion, personified in the character leaving NYC behind, strikes me as “spooky”.
The Essay on Three Kinds of Books to Read
I’m an avid reader and I have found the most interesting books fall within three categories. The categories are fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I have read books in all of these categories and although I’m not an expert, I will explain the differences of these categories. Nonfiction is probably my favorite category, because while reading these books the reader is reliving something ...
I have taken an unofficial, unscientific, poll of what people think about “Atlas Shrugged”. In the first place, I think this book continues to be read because it is like a book that makes its way on to a Banned Book List. These kinds of books make people interested to find out for themselves “what all the fuss” is about. “Shrugged” seems to generate buzz for itself one generation after another in just this way. My crude polling data seems to say that a lot of people concerned with business, engineering, money, (and those feeling a lack of appreciation in whatever) love the philosophy. And I admit I didn’t mind the discussion about money as a worthy (but not the only) motivation. For many of those who approach the novel–as a novel– opinions range from outright dismissal to mockery.
I had longed planned to read this book; it has been on my “To Read” list since high school. Now, a year out of college, I gladly will cross “Atlas Shrugged” off the list. My secret was to keep plowing through the monolithic monologues and knowing just when I could skip down to a different part, certain that I wouldn’t miss anything I hadn’t read before.
