Commentary on Symbolism of Oak Tree and Other Themes

            The first character Atlas Shrugged introduces is not one of the main characters, yet their interactions later in the chapter introduce and help characterize one of the main characters. Yet Eddie Willers introduces an interesting symbol when he talks about the oak tree, which "stood there for hundreds of years, and he thought it would always stand there." (pg 13) This one tree was a safe haven for Willers with just how strong the tree was and when it was struck down, he was betrayed by the promise he thought the tree represented. This description of a seemingly indestructible structure being swept aside seems to be a metaphor representing the Taggart Transcontinental railroad which is described as being the streets "tallest and proudest structure"(pg 14) and that the web of tunnels beneath the building could be described as a root system of which Willers thought "it would always stand there,"(pg 14) very much like the Oak tree. One can then assume that this is a foreshadowing for the fate of the Taggart Transcontinental Railroad, which is evident in the whole situation with the deterioration of the Rio Norte line which is similar to the rotting of the massive oak which could not support itself. The symbolism might go even further to the idea that the Oak tree might symbolize the entire American economy in the book, how it seemed insurmountable yet it expanded too quickly and ran out of resources, causing it to rot and no longer have the ability to survive. The idea of responsibility and blame are very pertinent in the actions of Dagny Taggart who uses it as a weapon to get her brother to agree with her on multiple occasions. Finally, there is the conflict of the human aspect of a business, with Hank Rearden, his only goal is “to make steel and to make money”(pg 44) and he is completely void of any human aspects of his business. Dagny, at the same time, only cares about making money and is completely against the building of the line to Mexico because it does not make sense for any other reason except for humanitarian purposes, which she considers as a money drain.