When I first
started reading the book, I felt like Rand was trying to promote a socialist
point of view, which I now realize is extremely wrong. During the party scene
where Rearden is listening in on all of the conversations of his patrons
talking about the equal opportunity act, I wanted to slap all of them on the
face. They were intentionally displayed as arrogant, short sighted, and this
was done in order to negatively portray the effects of socialism on the
economy. Which is just a precursor to what occurs with the public opinion
towards the Rearden Steel. The theme of public opinion’s effect on the course
of the economy is used to show just how much the public often does things that
are extremely harmful to itself, without its knowledge. It is clear that
Rearden Steel is an amazing alternative to the current materials used to make tracks,
yet because of public opinion, not scientific reasoning, and the government
basically makes it illegal to use Rearden steel. This is also touching on the concept
of the corruption and ineptitude of the political system. When the politician
talks with Rearden, Rearden is only thinking from the perspective of a rational
man, not that of a politician, which leads the politician to condemn Rearden Metal.
Rand is using this as evidence that politics should not be involved with
economic and businesses because there can never be a positive outcome. Also,
the whole situation is rife with corruption as the politician is willing to buy
the rights to Rearden Metal, showing that they know it is a viable product.
Then there is the notion of the “John Galt Line” which is the name given to the
line that will use the Rearden Metal. This brings up the theme that John Galt
is a phrase that is used to describe the impossible or unattainable and
represents a direct front to the power of the government when they try to stop
the use of Rearden Metal. Personally,
now that I realize that Rand is a capitalist, I am really starting to enjoy
this book.
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