There have many instances of fraud throughout our readings in Atlas Shrugged. Some, such as Jim's leadership in the company, are apparent from the beginning. Others, however, remain hidden in plain sight. It's visible in the way we look at some of the characters. Francisco, for example, has portrayed himself as a millionaire/billionaire playboy that travels the world seeking the hearts of women of all nationalities. But, as we find out, he is merely a businessman. However, he chooses to ride off of the reputation as a playboy. Another example of fraud can be found in, surprisingly enough, Dagny. She creates a company, the John Galt Line, that is made to look like a business in competition with Taggart Transcontinental, when it is really a "subsidy". I think that Ayn Rand tries to show the reader how even the people we trust and like can become as corrupt and fraudulent as the antagonists we hate. Dagny is one of the few virtuous people left in the business world, yet she is still just a businessman in a corrupt world.
On another note, I think that the John Galt Line will follow in the footsteps of Rearden Metal. Initially, it will have a low public opinion, but eventually people will start to use the line until it becomes one of the most successful lines in operation. Rearden Metal is on a trend where companies and industries are starting to use the metal. Eventually, I think that Rearden Metal will become popular enough to raise the public's opinion on it.
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