Characters Emphasize Characteristics of One Another (Priya Dhairyawan)

        Rand uses the characters' initial behavior to highlight certain characteristics of other characters in the story. Jim and Dagny Taggart are prime examples of characters who point out qualities in one another. Dagny is an individual who believes in hard work and doing what is best for her family's company. She relies more on her beliefs regarding the company than she does on anyone else's. These traits demonstrate her respect for her own ideas rather than dependence on someone else's. Dagny does what she feels will most benefit the company, regardless of her brother's opinions in particular. Oppositely, Jim Taggart does not put the company's success first. For example, instead of employing a newer and more efficient company to fix a broken track, Jim would rather hire a company who cannot solve the company's problem immediately, just because he knows the owner and has used the company in the past. This action shows how he prefers familiarity to efficiency. Overall, Dagny and Jim draw attention to each other's work ethic. Similarly, Hank Rearden and his family bring out certain traits from one another. Hank is a very self-sufficient man who strives for success. He believes that hard work will yield success, which is something he shares in common with Dagny Taggart. Rearden, like Dagny, puts work as a highest priority. Rearden's family, however, does not approve of his work-centered lifestyle. They would rather have him with them more often than have him be constantly working, regardless of what he wants. The family's dependence on Hank put emphasis on his workaholic lifestyle and his constant goal of success. Rand does a good job of using character traits to emphasize qualities in each other.