Throughout the first two chapters of Atlas Shrugged there is a presence of extensive political criticism. Ayn Rand’s choice to open the novel with a question, “Who is John Galt?”, is one of great importance. The words not only begin the work with a level of uncertainty, but the fact that they are said by a homeless man introduces the reader to the impoverished setting in which the story will take place. Furthermore, after Eddie Willers finishes with the homeless man, he marvels at the great failure of the businesses around him. Here, the audience notices the signs of an economic depression taking place in America. Once the audience is introduced to Jim and Dagny Taggart, there are two clear sides between brother and sister. While Jim Taggart rather help his friend Orren Boyle and use his steel, his sister Dagny believes that this will not yield the best results for the railroad company. Instead, she rather use a new metal, Rearden metal, which she considers to give them the best opportunity to stay at the top. In my opinion, Ayn Rand’s motive is deeper than merely introducing two characters in the work. I believe Dagny’s character will be used to represent the conservative mind while Jim’s character will represent a more liberal point of view. In addition to the relationship between these two characters, Henry Rearden and his own family also display tension as Rearden represents a conservation point of view and is proud of his earnings while his family criticizes him for being away for so long. As we continue to read ahead, I believe Ayn Rand will continue to make use of characters to portray her political views on an economic depression through which she may have suffered.
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