Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged
This mighty tome is deeply anchored in the concepts of personal responsibility, individual liberty and les ce faire economics. All of which are things I believe in, however I found the book a weighty read that I had to put down often because of the negative view it expresses toward human nature. I had two things that i felt Ayn Rand didn't fully appreciate in regards to the wold view she is articulating.
The first thing was that she has no particular understanding of brotherhood, I am not talking about brotherhood as in all mankind is my brother but rather brotherhood as in we share a mom and grew up together so we are brothers. Henry Rearden and his younger brother Phillip have a relationship that just doesn't make sense to me, the relationship between Dagny and Jim Tagart makes more sense to me but it is still overly simplified.
The second and more major issue was her view toward sex, it frankly seemed animalistic. Through Dagney's actions the idea is expressed that taking a lover is about finding some one strong and if someone stronger comes along it is right to leave your current lover in favor of the stronger person. This reminded me of wolves packs and herds of horses it is not a healthy attitude in people it disregard human compatibility, fidelity and morality.
Another thing that bothered me was how the character of Eddie Willers was dealt with. This is because I see more of myself in his character than any of the principals and that what happens to him seem wrong. I do not understand why his loyalty and ethic are not rewarded. I see him as a brother character to Dagny who makes sacrifices for her while still acting for himself yet his life time of hard work ultimately leaves him abandoned by the person he cares about most. I do not understand why the brakeman/ musician was invited to Galt's Gulch but Eddie was not.
I am glad I read the book even though I have a different view of human nature than Ayn Rand. however, I would not necessarily recommend the book to the average reader.
The first thing was that she has no particular understanding of brotherhood, I am not talking about brotherhood as in all mankind is my brother but rather brotherhood as in we share a mom and grew up together so we are brothers. Henry Rearden and his younger brother Phillip have a relationship that just doesn't make sense to me, the relationship between Dagny and Jim Tagart makes more sense to me but it is still overly simplified.
The second and more major issue was her view toward sex, it frankly seemed animalistic. Through Dagney's actions the idea is expressed that taking a lover is about finding some one strong and if someone stronger comes along it is right to leave your current lover in favor of the stronger person. This reminded me of wolves packs and herds of horses it is not a healthy attitude in people it disregard human compatibility, fidelity and morality.
Another thing that bothered me was how the character of Eddie Willers was dealt with. This is because I see more of myself in his character than any of the principals and that what happens to him seem wrong. I do not understand why his loyalty and ethic are not rewarded. I see him as a brother character to Dagny who makes sacrifices for her while still acting for himself yet his life time of hard work ultimately leaves him abandoned by the person he cares about most. I do not understand why the brakeman/ musician was invited to Galt's Gulch but Eddie was not.
I am glad I read the book even though I have a different view of human nature than Ayn Rand. however, I would not necessarily recommend the book to the average reader.
posted by a.lost.boy | 11:07 AM
3 Comments:
You might, then, under certain circumstances, recommend the book to some of the "average readers" amongst your acquaintances. Do you have in mind what such circumstances would be?
people who are interested in comparative philosophy. It makes a lovely foil to something like J.S. Mills On Socialism or Marx's Communist Manifesto.
You would HATE the ending of Villette, by Bronte.
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