Commentary on the Conversation Between Dagney Taggart and Hank Rearden (Monica Rodriguez)

The conversation between Dagney and Rearden after the passing of the Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule is the first time in the novel that I noticed the two being comfortable and almost happy in another person’s presence. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of their meeting, and the fact that Rearden is making a profit off of Dagney’s misfortune, both characters seemed to really enjoy each other’s company. For the first time in the novel, they were accompanied by someone that they viewed as an intellectual equal and as such had a deep respect for one another. They felt comfortable in each other’s company because of the undeniable similarities between them. They both are entirely focused on their business and on being as profitable as they can be, and because of this they know what to expect from one another. They don’t hide behind cries of “fairness” and the importance of “equal opportunities” in the market place to serve their own selfish purposes, as James Taggart does in his push for the Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule. They are open about their intentions, and though it makes them seem cold to the rest of the world, it also makes them seem like better business people to each other. Dagney even tells Rearden just as much saying that she is “relieved” by his high price because she knows that she is “dealing, for once, with someone who doesn’t pretend to give favors.” Ironically they can trust each other because they are both dispassionate business people.