All Questions
Tagged with character-analysis ayn-rand
17
questions
1
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80
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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, ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
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What attracted Howard Roark to Dominique in The Fountainhead?
I can understand why Dominique was ultimately attracted to him. He really was the "Superman" she wanted, although it took her almost the whole novel to realize it.
But Dominique disdained Roark for ...
- 451
4
votes
1
answer
507
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Why did Ellsworth Toohey advise people against doing what they really wanted when he was a career advisor?
Prior to his job on The Banner, Ellsworth Toohey spent awhile as a career advisor at a college. One of his distinctive traits as a career advisor was that he usually advised people against doing what ...
5
votes
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
answer
155
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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 ...
1
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1
answer
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
votes
1
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398
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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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1
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81
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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
votes
1
answer
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
votes
1
answer
140
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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 ...
1
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2
answers
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
votes
1
answer
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
votes
1
answer
257
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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
votes
1
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299
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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
votes
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 ...