How the Factory is the Same as the Economy (Monica Rodriguez)

As Dagny speaks with the previous owners of the factory in her search for the engineer of the motor it becomes crystal clear why this factory changed owners so many times and why it ultimately failed. The Starnes made up a business plan in which, no matter the job or the effort put in, people would be paid based on need. This plan failed because the workers where not motivated. Ms. Starnes blames it on their selfishness and humanities incapability to look out for their “brothers”. This may be true, however she exhibits this same selfishness by keeping her trust fund for herself and sharing with her actual brother, who in his laziness, lives state of poverty.

The next person who owned the factory goes on and on about how he has never been given a chance, and how no one can blame for the downfall of his company. He complained that he did not have enough money to run the business. He plays the victim of discrimination and bad luck. However, If he did not have enough money, then why did he spend what little he had on “modernizing and redecorating” the factory. It is no surprise that he was ultimately unable to keep the factory going, and now he complains about having to watch the stew of the people who are kind enough to let him stay with them. He takes advantage of laws meant to equalize opportunity, and exhibits the same selfishness that caused the Starnes to fail.

This one factory, with its lazy, and self-righteous owner, shows what will become of the country’s economy when these equal opportunity laws pass. In the reading it is already starting to show with downfall of the oil business. By laying out the downfall of the factory Rand is giving the reader a preview of what is to come for the country.