She gained a massive philosophical following, and her ideas are still widely studied today, over thirty years since her death, making her a highly influential American writer and positioning Atlas Shrugged as essential reading for proponents of capitalism. After this novel, Rand moved to writing exclusively in the nonfiction format, finding it better suited for communicating her philosophies. When Atlas Shrugged was published and started gaining traction, Ayn Rand was celebrated as a champion for individualism. However, her overt political and economic messages in her writing did not make it easy for her works to find publishers. Her messages were always anti-Communist, and this won her a fair amount of kickback, but was generally well-received in a very strongly anti-Communist point of history for the United States. Rand lived and worked in Hollywood for several years, experiencing firsthand Hollywood success as a writer.

She settled in the United States because the economic freedoms resonated with her. Having grown up witnessing the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and emigrating to Crimea (an unstable region, then part of Ukraine), Rand idealized Western culture and society.

This novel’s author, Ayn Rand, has more reason than most to promote a pro-capitalism message through her writing. Major Symbols: Dollar signs, the bracelet, Wyatt’s Torch, AtlasĬlimax: Dagny discovers the vanished men and has to decide whether or not to join their strike. Plot: Told chronologically in past tense by a third person omniscient narrator The nationalization of railway lines and the retirement of several talented entrepreneurs is enhancing the railway crisis.Ĭonflict: Dagny has to work to keep her railroad business from collapse. Motifs: Rhetorical questions bridges motorsĮxposition: Dagny Taggart is navigating deteriorating environmental conditions as the vice president of operations for Taggart Transportation. Major Thematic Elements: The profound power of the mind the downsides of collective action the incorporated power between mind and body Antagonist: James (Jim) Taggart the government

Atlas shrugged book