The Women of "Atlas Shrugged": the Author, the Sister, the Wife, and the Mother (Melanie Fuenmayor)

     Atlas Shrugged is set in an era where women of great public power are uncommon, if not, unheard of. To quote Eddie Willers's impression of Dagny Taggart, "He was the only person who found it completely natural that she should be the Operating Vice-President of a great railroad, even though she was a woman." (page 30). Dagny Taggart is more than deserving of such an opinion. She exerts authority, practicality, and scarcely lets her emotions interfere with her business, primarily owned by her brother. We can recall an earlier point in the chapter where Eddie Willers approaches President James Taggart with concern over company affairs in the Rio Norte line of their railroad, to which Mr. Taggart shows no interest in. However, a day later we find Dagny Taggart in the same office with the same concern, only this time she is sure of affairs running the way she demands them to run, and her brother complies, though reluctantly. It could be said that a strong, intellectual woman like Dagny Taggart is difficult to find in this time period, but perhaps Ayn Rand, a female author, presents a counter opinion.

     In the second chapter we meet two more women, the mother and the wife of Henry Rearden. Rearden's mother, who is rude and not very motherly, is financially at her son's mercy but still pries into his life, and the only one who can (and does) permit this is Henry. Lillian Rearden, his spouse, is a beautiful woman who speaks in a tone described as "cheerful" "gay" and "amused". With first impression, I felt the better adjective was "airheaded", but with further reading, I discovered a different brand of woman. Unlike Miss Taggart, who speaks bluntly and has no time for games, Lillian Rearden uses games to her advantage.  She coaxes her husband into asking about a party she wishes to have by simply peaking his interests. "'Oh, Mother, it's not important!' said Lillian. 'Not to Henry." (page 40). Although Henry immediately identifies her game and complies because, after all, "she had thrown herself upon his mercy." (page 41) in the end, she is satisfied. Within the first two chapters, Ayn Rand presents a theme of strong women. Only time will tell if the story maintains it.