All Questions
Tagged with character-analysis atlas-shrugged
15
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Why is Clem Weatherby described as a "technical expert on railroads" in Atlas Shrugged?
At one point in Atlas Shrugged, Dagny Taggart is in a meeting with various government officials. At one point during the meeting, the book remarks that
[Dagny Taggart] noticed that Clem Weatherby, ...
5
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1
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285
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How much of the Looters' philosophy did Fred Kinnan actually accept?
Related: What was Fred Kinnan gaining from his racket?
In their discussion of Directive 10-289, Fred Kinnan said the following:
"Well, if you want to talk practice," said Fred Kinnan, "then let me ...
4
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1
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Is Equality 7-2521 a model for John Galt?
Is Equality 7-2521/Prometheus (from Anthem) a model for John Galt?
A few major similarities:
Significantly, Equality calls himself Prometheus once he realizes that he has a right to exist as an ...
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350
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Why didn't Eddie Willers ever connect some of the disappearances to his conversations with the Mystery Worker?
Eddie Willers periodically ate dinner in the Taggart cafeteria with the Mystery Worker (who is, of course, later identified as John Galt). They discuss a lot of different things, including the state ...
2
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What kind of engineer was Owen Kellogg?
Towards the beginning of Atlas Shrugged, Owen Kellogg was described as follows:
[Dagney Taggart] knew that the superintendent of the Ohio Division was no good and that he was a friend of James ...
5
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Why did Eddie refer to himself as a "feudal serf"?
In the beginning of the book, when Eddie Willars confronted Jim Taggart about the poor condition of the Rio Norte Line, they had the following exchange:
"Jim, what are you saying? Does it matter ...
3
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1
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310
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Why and how is Mr. Thompson based on Harry S. Truman?
Wikipedia's list of characters in Atlas Shrugged describes Mr. Thompson as follows:
Mr. Thompson is the "Head of the State" for the United States. He is not particularly intelligent and has a very ...
4
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Why did all of the Taggart Transcontinental engineers volunteer to drive the first train on the John Galt Line?
Early on in the book, the engineer running the Comet stopped for hours at a broken signal and just sat there passively waiting for someone to tell him what to do.
However, later we see that almost ...
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2
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502
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Why did Robert Stadler claim that John Galt was "probably a second assistant bookkeeper somewhere"?
When Dagney Taggert went to see Dr. Robert Stadler at the State Science Institute, in explanation for his mistrust of humans and human reason, he told the story of his three students:
"These three ...
4
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1
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673
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In what way was Dr. Robert Stadler based on Robert Oppenheimer?
Wikipedia describes Dr. Robert Stadler from Atlas Shrugged as follows:
A former professor at Patrick Henry University, and along with colleague Hugh Akston, mentor to Francisco d'Anconia, John Galt ...
2
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Why did Lillian Reardon appear to admire the Steel Mills?
Shortly after their wedding anniversary celebration (p. 152 in my edition), Hank Reardon recalls Lillian coming down from New York on her own initiative to see his Mills:
[Hank] remembered the day ...
6
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What should we make of the newspaper vendor in Atlas Shrugged?
Related: How should we view Dan Conway?
First, a quote from the opening scene of the book:
"Who is John Galt?"
The light was ebbing, and Eddie Willers could not distinguish the bum's face. The ...
4
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1
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466
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How much did Eddie Willers understand about his situation by the end of Atlas Shrugged?
From the opening lines of Atlas Shrugged at the beginning of chapter 1:
"Who is John Galt?"
The light was ebbing, and Eddie Willers could not distinguish the bum's face. The bum had said it ...
6
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2
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486
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How should we view Dan Conway?
Dan Conway, head of the Phoenix-Durango in Atlas Shrugged, was evidently a superb executive. He also receives (largely) positive treatment in the novel. However, the book also says that he initially ...
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The real-life inspiration for the characters of Atlas Shrugged?
Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is a good story paired with a (sometimes belabored) expression of the author's philosophy. I was wondering if there are any real-life connections to the characters of her ...
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