Dagny's Role as a Female Leader

Ayn Rand’s, Atlas Shrugged, takes place throughout a time of economic failure. Within the first two chapters, we are introduced to four strong-willed characters. I paid closest attention and admiration toward Dagny Taggart, who is the Vice President of Taggart Transcontinental. From the moment she is introduced on the train, it is apparent that she is a hardworking, determined female. At our first glimpse of this character, she is shown interrogating a brakeman on where he heard the tune he was whistling. Accidentally, the boy tells her it comes from the 5^th concerto of Richard Halley, but she immediately corrects him by pointing out that a 5^th  concerto has not been created. Following this scene, Dagny demands a fireman to dangerously cross through a red light. He is unwilling at first, until he realizes the woman he is conversing with. His disposition is immediately altered when he identifies her as Dagney Taggart, the head of Taggart Transcontinental. Clearly, she demands respect and attentiveness from the people she encounters.

Later, as Dagny engages in an enraged dispute with her brother Jim, the reader once again notices her demanding and intimidating personality. Both Dagny and Jim share different beliefs of the choice in metal, however by the end of the dispute, Dagny forcefully convinces Jim to choose Rearden steel.

I commend Dagny tremendously on her persistent disposition as a female business leader. During this era, females were nearly nonexistent in terms of business positions. Unfortunately, she is portrayed as cold-hearted and harsh by her brother, Jim. However, realistically Dagny must maintain a “tough” appearance in order to hold respect as a female leader.  

-Morgan Mills