"... I will never life for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.”

I really enjoyed this weeks reading, mainly because it was refreshing to read about Galt's Gulch or as Dagny calls it, Atlantis, and how different it is from the outer world. When I read the first two thirds of the novel, I always visualized it as a dark and dreary place, which is completely opposite of bright and beautiful green valley that Rand described in the final part of the novel. It is obvious that these two different worlds were designed by Rand to be polar opposites; the outer world representing a socialist government that Rand ultimately wants us to realize does not work, and Atlantis representing a purely capitalist government where everyone works for nothing more than their own self-interest.  

Another reason I really enjoyed this weeks reading was because Rand finally decided in the last part of the novel to introduce John Galt. Why Rand waited until the third part to introduce him I don't know, but I am glad she did because now I am finally getting the answers to some questions I proposed throughout the reading. In one of my previous posts I wondering whether John Galt was the “destroyer” and now it is obvious that he is as he is the mastermind behind the entire strike and philosophy that the occupants of Atlantis uphold which is summed up in oath, “I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never life for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” (671) This oath is their philosophy summed up in a phrase demonstrates the self-interest based philosophy that Rand believes should be followed, which is why she makes it the oath that needs to be recited and believes by those who want to enter Atlantis and powerful enough to open one of the building’s door. Overall, this weeks reading has allowed me to better understand the message that Rand is attempting to portray to her readers in Atlas Shrugged and leaves me excited to find out what is in the future for Atlantis and the outer world, and if Dagny decides to go back and fight the looters or join the strike.