Atlas Shrugged at Liberty on the Rocks

Last Wednesday, April 6th, I spoke at Liberty on the Rocks in Denver about Atlas Shrugged, thanks to an invitation from Amanda Teresi. It was a fun evening in itself, but even better, Ari Armstrong recorded my ten-minute talk and its Q&A, as well as a trivia contest that I whipped up at the last minute, then posted them to YouTube.

First, my talk on Atlas Shrugged's Deeper Themes, using the example of Dr. Robert Stadler:



Next, my summary of Objectivism from the Q&A:



Finally, the trivia contest, nicely edited by Ari to have all the questions at the beginning, then the answers at the end. How many of the answers do you know?



If you liked those videos, please share them on Facebook using these links: Atlas Shrugged's Deeper Themes, Summary of Objectivism, and Atlas Shrugged Trivia.

Many thanks to Amanda Teresi for inviting me to speak at Liberty on the Rocks and to Ari Armstrong for recording and posting the videos!

If you'd prefer to listen to these videos as a podcast, they're available via NoodleCast. (The trivia contest will make better sense as video, however.)

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Duration: 15:14

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Also, please don't forget about my pledge-funded work to Update Explore Atlas Shrugged. You can find the details about the work that I'm doing in this blog post, and you can pledge to support that work with the form below:



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Thank you to everyone who has pledged and/or contributed so far! That's hugely appreciated!

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Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 20

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 9 - Part 3, Chapter 10

• Part 3: Chapter 9: The Generator
  
• Part 3: Chapter 10: In the Name of the Best Within Us

Or:

• Pages 1126 - 1168 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 1035 - 1074 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

63:46 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (30.1 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (29.2 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3: Chapter 9: The Generator

Section 1: 1126-1133

• What is Dr. Stadler's purpose and state of mind as he drives to Project X?  (1126-8)  What does he find at Project X?  What happens -- and why?  (1128-33)

Section 2: 1133-1139

• What is the response of the looters to Galt's exposure of the gun at the banquet?  What do they plan to do?  Why is that significant?  What does Dagny now understand about their motives?  (1133-6)
  
• What is the significance of Dagny's response to the destruction of the Taggart Bridge?  How is that one last test for her?  (1137-8)

Section 3: 1139-1146

• What is the Ferris Persuader?  How does Galt react to its use on him?  How do the looters react? 
  
• How does Galt respond to the breakdown of the Ferris Persuader?  How do the looters react?  (1139-46)
  
• Why does Jim Taggart collapse?  What does he understand about himself?  How do the other looters respond -- and why?  (1145-6)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 3: Chapter 10: In the Name of the Best Within Us

Section 1: 1147-1160

• Why does Dagny confront the guard in the way that she does?  What choice does she offer him -- and why? Why does she shoot him when he refuses to choose?  (1147-8)
  
• How do Dagny, Hank, Francisco, and Ragnar deal with the guards?  What is the significance of that?  What is the significance of the guards' reactions to them?  (1147-54)
  
• Why does John Galt say that he had to be the one tortured?  How does that serve the strike?  (1155)
  
• Why were so many men of the valley willing to assault the State Science Institute to free John Galt?  Why does he mean so much to them?  Was that self-sacrifice?  (1157)

Section 2: 1160-1167

• What is Eddie Willers' state of mind when the Comet stalls? What does he learn? (1160-7)
  
• Why does he refuse to join the wagon caravan?  What will happen to him?  Why does he suffer this end?  (1163-5)

Section 3: 1167-1168

• What will happen once the producers return to the world?  How will they re-establish America?  (1168)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Whole Part

• What is the significance of the title of this part?

Whole Book

• What are the most important themes of the novel? How were those conveyed by the events and characters?

Read more...

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 19

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 8

• Part 3, Chapter 8: The Egoist

Or:

• Pages 1070-1125 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 993-1035 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

69:18 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (32.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (31.8 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 8: The Egoist

Section 1 (1070-1076)

• What is the initial reaction of the looters to the broadcast before Dagny speaks?  (1070-2)  What does she say to them?  (1072-4)  How do they react?  What does she learn about them? (1073-6)

Section 2 (1076-1078)

• Why does Eddie say that he wouldn't turn John Galt over to the looters to save the railroad?  What does that say about his loyalties?  (1078)
  
• Why doesn't Dagny go on strike after hearing Galt's speech?  What does she hope to gain by remaining in the world?  What does Eddie understand that she does not? (1078)

Section 3 (1078-1086)

• How does the government respond to Galt's radio speech?  What do ordinary people think and do?  What does that show? (1078-84)
  
• What does Mr. Thompson say he wants in his meeting with Dagny?  What are his true motives?  How does he manipulate her?  (1084-6)

Section 4 (1086-1096)

• Why does Dagny decide to seek out John Galt?  What risk is she taking?  Why is she willing to take it?  (1086-9)
  
• Why must Dagny take the looters' side when Galt is captured by them?  (1090-2)  Is such deception moral? Why would Galt kill himself if the looters tortured Dagny?  (1091)
  
• How does Galt's apartment -- the laboratory versus the garrett -- represent the either-or choice confronting the world?  (1092-3)
  
• What do the government representatives demand of John Galt? What is his response? (1095-6)

Section 5 (1097-1105)

• What does Mr. Thompson offer Galt?  Why does Galt reject all of these offers?  What kind of deal would Galt consider?  (1098-1104)
  
• Why doesn't Galt take power and then attempt to outsmart the looters?  What would the results of that be?  (1104)

Section 6 (1105-1119)

• Why don't any of the looters want to talk to John Galt?  How do their different reasons reveal their characters?  (1106-8) Why does Dagny refuse to speak to Galt?  (1108-9)
  
• What does Dagny think of the looters now?  What does she think about the world?  What does she think about her work?  Why doesn't she go on strike yet?  (1108-11)
  
• What is Jim Taggart's response to John Galt?  How is it distinctive?  (1111-3)
  
• What is Galt's reaction to the Chick Morrison's pleas for pity for the weak and to Floyd Ferris' threats of mass murder?  Is he right to respond as he does?  (1113-4)
  
• Why does Eddie volunteer to go to San Francisco?  What does he think Dagny will do in the meantime?  What does Dagny offer him?  Why does he refuse?  Why can't he start over?  (1116)
  
• What happens to Dr. Stadler as he prepares to meet and then speaks to Galt?  Why is the meeting so traumatic for him?  What is the significance of what he says, including the change as speaks?  (1116-9)

Section 7 (1119-1125)

• Why are the looters willing to risk a public appearance by John Galt?  (1119-25)
  
• What does Dagny experience at the banquet unveiling the John Galt Plan?  What does she come to understand about the looters -- and why?  What has she decided?  (1121-1124)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Sessions 17 & 18

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapters 7

• Part 3, Chapter 7: This Is John Galt Speaking

Or:

• Pages 1000-1069 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover, break at 1035
  
• Pages 927-993 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback, break at 951

Podcast

Listen Now

103:49 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (48.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (47.5 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3: Chapter 7: This Is John Galt Speaking

Section 1 (1000-1069)

• What is Dagny's response to the news that Hank Rearden has quit?  What does it mean to her?  What does it mean to Jim Taggart, the other looters, and ordinary people? (1000-3)
  
• Why does Hank Rearden send the message that he does to Dagny from the valley?  Why is the message so important to Dagny?  (1002-3)
  
• Why was Dagny Taggart invited to the radio broadcast?  Why does she refuse to participate?  (1005-7)

Speech: Overview (1009-1069)

• What is the purpose of John Galt's radio speech? Who is his intended audience? What does he hope to accomplish? (1009-69)
  
• What was Ayn Rand's purpose in writing full text of speech into novel? Why do the readers of the novel need to hear the speech too? (1009-69)
  

Speech: Introduction (1009-1011)

• How does John Galt motivate and intrigue his listeners? What does he tell them that's news to them? (1009-11)

Speech: The Morality of Life (1011-1025)

• Why and how is morality necessary for life, according to Galt?  Does man have an automatic knowledge of or desire for survival?  Why not? (1012-5)
  
• What is the standard of value? Why? What is the alternative to that standard? How is the contrast concretized in the novel? (1012-15)
  
• What are the three basic axioms?  How are they fundamental to thought and life? What role have they played in the events of the novel? (1015-6)
  
• How -- and why -- is a person's use of his mind fundamental to morality? What does it mean to think -- or not? How is the refusal to think different from ignorance?  How do Hank Rearden and Robert Stadler exemplify that difference? (1016-8)
  
• What are the basic virtues identified by John Galt?  What is the basic meaning of each virtue and how does it promote a person's life and values? What is an example of each virtue in action (and its opposite vice) from the novel? (1018-21)
  
• What is the proper role of emotions in life?  How are emotions shaped by choices? How does a person achieve happiness? (1021-2)
  
• What is Galt's view of a person's obligations to others?  What does it mean to trade with others in matter and spirit? How has that been dramatized in the novel? (1022-3)
  
• What is the initiation of force? How does that "negate and paralyze [a man's] means of survival"? What examples of that have we seen in the novel?
  (1023-4)

Speech: The Morality of Death (1025-1034)

• What is the doctrine of Original Sin? Why does Galt condemn it? Why does he discuss it? (1025-6)
  
• What is Galt's view of the idea that mind and body are antagonists?  What are the moral implications of that view?  What characters have illustrated the mind-body split in the novel? (1026-7)
  
• Who are the "mystics of muscle" and the "mystics of spirit"?  How are they different?  How are they similar?  Who are the best examples of these mystics in the novel? (1027)
  
• What does Galt mean by sacrifice?  Why does he reject sacrifice as immoral? What is the goal and result of the morality of sacrifice?  (1028-9)
  
• How -- and why -- is the morality of sacrifice impossible to practice? How and why does it ultimately demand the sacrifice of virtue to vice? How and why does it poison relationships between people? What events of the novel have dramatized that?  (1030-3)
  
• What does Galt think of the ideal of universal brother-love?  Why?  What is the proper view of love?  (1033-4)

(Recommended Break between Sessions 17 and 18)

Speech: The Teachers of the Morality of Death (1034-1047)

• How have the mystics of muscle and mystics of spirit convinced people to adopt the morality of sacrifice? What is their "single holy absolute"? How does that violate the axioms? (1034-7)
  
• What is causality?  How is it related to the axiom of identity?  How do the mystics of muscle and spirit attempt to deny it?  How do they attempt to reverse cause and effects?  How is that illustrated in the events of the novel?  (1037-8)
  
• How is the mystic like a savage, yet worse? What is the essence of savagery, according to Galt? (1038-45)
  
• What is the relationship between the dictator and the mystic?  What does each aim for? Who is their mutual enemy -- and why?  How has that been illustrated in the novel? (1044-7)
  
• What is the conspiracy of the mystics? What is their ultimate goal? Why is no compromise with them possible? (1046-7)
  
• Why does John Galt speak at such length about these teachers of the morality of death? Why do Dagny and Galt's other listeners need to know so much about them? (1034-1047)

Speech: Choose the Morality of Life (1047-1069)

• Why does John Galt explain his own choice to go on strike? (1047-8)
  
• Why does Galt directly address the looters? What does he say, and why? What will be their fate? Is that fair? (1048-52)
  
• What is Galt's basic purpose in speaking directly to the people who retain some shred of love for their lives? What is his overall message? What are the major points he covers -- and why? (1052-69)
  
• What is wrong with the view that the moral is opposed to the practical? What are its effects on a person?  How has that been illustrated in the novel? Why must people reject it? (1052-4)
  
• What are the other wrong views that people must reject? Why must they reject them to reject the morality of sacrifice? (1054-8)
  
• What advice does Galt offer to people seeking to live by the morality of life? What must they do, in concrete terms? How have those principles been illustrated by the events in the novel? (1058-60)
  
• When the strikers return to the world, what principles will govern their society and government? What is the basis of those principles? What kind of society will they produce? (1060-5)
  
• In a free society, how and why do the more capable people benefit the less capable more than vice versa? How is that illustrated in the novel?  What is the common opposing view?  (1063-5)
  
• What concrete steps does Galt recommend to his life-loving listeners? How will that benefit the strike? When will the strike end? (1066-8)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 16

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapters 5B-6

• Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keepers (Sections 3-4)
  
• Part 3, Chapter 6: The Concerto of Deliverance

Or:

• Pages 936-999 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 869-927 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

92:49 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (43.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (42.5 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keepers

Section 3 (936-943)

• How is the economy disintegrating faster than ever? How do Dagny's concerns differ from those in power? (936-9)
  
• What happens in Minnesota with the harvest? Why does it happen? What will its effects be? (939-43)

Section 4 (943-962)

• Why does Dagny attend the meeting with the looters? Why does she think she was invited? How was she wrong? What does she learn about their actual goals and methods? (944-8)
  
• What is Dagny's response to the breakdown of the signal system in the Taggart Terminal? Why is that important? What is her response to the discovery of John Galt among the workers? (949-955)
  
• What is the motive and meaning of John Galt's and Dagny's sexual encounter? What might its consequences be? (955-62)
  
• What is Galt's view of Dagny's affair with Hank Rearden? Why does Galt have that view of it? Why did Galt envy Rearden for that brief moment on seeing him, but only just that brief moment? (958-960)
  
• Why doesn't Dagny want Galt to repair the signal system in the terminal? Why is she still willing to work for the looters? (961-2)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 3, Chapter 6: The Concerto of Deliverance

Section 1 (963-999)

• What is Hank Rearden's attitude toward Rearden Steel now? Why is that significant? (962-6)
  
• What does Hank Rearden's family say to him during their meeting? What do they want from him? What does he learn from that conversation? (968-76)
  
• How and why does Hank Rearden's mother ask him for forgiveness? Why does he refuse? Under what conditions would he have accepted? (970-76)
  
• What does Hank Rearden come to understand about his relationship with Lillian, including why she chose him? What does she reveal about her motives and values? Why is Hank indifferent to her? What does that do to her -- and why? (974-6)
  
• What is the purpose of the Steel Unification Plan? What are the looters counting on? What does Hank Rearden understand about these kinds of schemes from his meeting with the looters? (980-7)
  
• What are the three tumblers that come into place for Rearden during this meeting with the looters? What are the looters counting on? (985-6)
  
• How has Rearden's attitude toward his mills changed as he drives back toward them? How will that enable him to go on strike? (988)
  
• What has the Wet Nurse has done to save the mills? What is so significant about that -- and about his death? What has he learned from Rearden? Why does Rearden respond as he does -- with tenderness toward the Wet Nurse and anger toward his teachers? (989-95)
  
• What has made Hank ready to hear what Francisco had to say, in a way that he wasn't before? What took Hank so long? (998-9)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 15

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapters 4-5A

• Part 3, Chapter 4: Anti-Life
  
• Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keeper (Sections 1-2)

Or:

• Pages 864-936 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 802-869 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

80:15 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (37.8 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (36.8 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 4, Chapter 4: Anti-Life

Section 1 (864-885)

• Why does Jim Taggart want to celebrate the upcoming nationalization of D'Anconia Copper?  Why doesn't he want to admit the nature of his satisfaction to himself?  (864-71)
  
• How has Cherryl Taggart changed since her wedding?  What kind of person is she now? What has she learned about Jim? (868-885)
  
• What is Jim Taggart's view of love?  Is it right or wrong?  Why?  (876-7, 881-2)
  
• What are the similarities and differences between Jim's marriage to Cherryl and Lillian's marriage to Hank?  Which is worse?  (873-883)
  
• How and why is Cherryl already destroyed by Jim, when she realizes what kind of person Jim is?  (882-3)

Section 2 (886-892)

• What is Dagny's psychological state now?  What does she think of her choice to leave the valley?  (886-7)
  
• Why does Cherryl visit Dagny?  What kind of support does Dagny offer her?  Why does Dagny offer that support?  (887-92)

Section 3 (892-900)

• How has Lillian Rearden changed in recent months?  What is her psychological state?  What has caused the change? (893-7)
  
• What does Lillian reveal about her understanding of Hank Rearden's virtues -- when she married him and now?  What were her motives in marrying him?  (898-9)
  
• What is the significance of the sex between Lillian and Jim, including the way it begins?  How is it revenge on Hank Rearden?  How is it another Gift Certificate in Lillian's eyes?  (898-900)

Section 4 (900-908)

• Why is Cherryl so shaken by realizing that Jim has slept with another woman?  Why does Jim respond as he does when Cherryl tells him that she knows?  Why is that so unbearable for her? (900-4)
  
• What is Jim's explanation for why he married Cherryl?  Why is she so horrified by that?  (902-4)
  
• What does Cherryl think as she wanders the streets of New York City?  Why doesn't she go to Dagny?  Why can't she start over?  Could she have been saved by the valley?  (904-8)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keeper

Section 1 (909-925)

• How is the transportation system functioning now?  How is that the natural result of the government policies?  What will its future be?  (910-5)
  
• How does Jim react to Dagny's suggestion that the looters give up power and allow the producers to rebuild the country?  Why?  Why does he want to retain power?  (916-7)
  
• Is Jim right or wrong to say that we are our brother's keepers?  Why?  (917-8)
  
• What is the significance of the way in which D'Anconia Copper is nationalized?  What were the looters counting on?  Why do they feel cheated?  (918-20)
  
• What is Dagny's reaction to the destruction of D'Anconia Copper?  Why does she feel that way?  What is Hank Rearden's reaction?  How do their reactions contrast with the reaction of Jim Taggart and other people?  (920-25)
  
• Why is Hank Rearden bored with his work now? (922) What motivates him to keep working?  (923-4)

Section 2 (925-936)

• What is the current state of the world? (925-7)
  
• Why does Philip Rearden want a job from Hank Rearden?  Why does Hank refuse him? (927-32)
  
• What lesson does Hank learn from his divorce from Lillian?  (932-4)
  
• How does the Wet Nurse asking for a job differ from Philip's demand for a job?  What has the Wet Nurse learned from his two years with Hank Rearden? (934-6, 927-32)

Read more...

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 14

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 3

• Part 3, Chapter 3: Anti-Greed

Or:

• Pages 816-863 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 758-802 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

68:08 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (32.1 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (31.2 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 3: Anti-Greed

Section 1 (816-831)

• How does Dr. Ferris manage and manipulate Dr. Stadler at the unveiling of Project X?  How -- and why -- does Ferris treat Stadler as he does? (816-31)
  
• What choices does Dr. Stadler face during the unveiling of Project X? Why does he choose as he does? What is his final choice? (816-31)
  
• What is so evil about Dr. Stadler's endorsement of Project X? How will his endorsement affect other people? How will it affect him? (816-31)

Section 2 (831-850)

• What is so striking to Dagny about the world on her return to it?  How does the contrast with the valley make her see the world in a new light?  (831-3)
  
• What does Dagny tell Eddie about her absence? What is Eddie's state of mind now? (836-8)
  
• What is the Railroad Unification Plan?  How does it function?  What are its effects?  What does it show Dagny about the looters?  (840-3)
  
• What is Jim Taggart's response to Dagny's return? What is his view of and approach to the problems of Taggart Transcontinental? (839-46)
  
• How does Lillian attempt to blackmail Dagny into appearing on Bertram Scudder's radio program?  What does Lillian reveal about her views and motives in the process? (847-50)

Section 3 (850-863)

• What does Dagny say on Bertram Scudder's radio program? How does it undermine the government and its supporters? (851-4)
  
• Why is Dagny conflicted about what she says on the radio?  Why is she not concerned about her reputation as a woman?  What is her consolation? (851-4)
  
• What does Hank Rearden say to Dagny on her return to the apartment?  What is its meaning and importance?  What has Rearden learned since the night that their affair began?  (856-61)
  
• What is Hank Rearden's attitude toward Dagny's final choice of John Galt?  Is he right to be so calm and happy? (860-1)
  

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

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Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 13

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 2

• Part 3, Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed

Or:

• Pages 752-815 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 699-758 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

76:38 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (36.1 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (35.1 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed

Section 1 (752-761)

• Why does John Galt not want to hear what Ragnar Danneskjöld has to say about Hank Rearden? (756-7)
  
• What kind of lesson does Ragnar seek to teach the world by his piracy?  Given the risks, is he sacrificing himself for the cause? Why do the other strikers disapprove?  Who is right? (757-8)
  
• Why does Dagny want to earn her keep as Galt's cook and maid?  What does the work -- and the wages in gold -- mean to her?  (760-1)

Section 2 (761-769)

• What does Dagny's apparent death mean to the outside world, and to Hank Rearden?  What does she think and feel about that? (761-3)
  
• Why is communication between the valley and the outside world forbidden during the vacation month?  Should Dagny have asked for a special exception to tell Hank that she is safe?  Why doesn't she do so? (763-4, 769)
  
• Why did Francisco go on strike?  How was Dagny the final argument for doing so, even though that meant giving her up?  Are his reasons selfish or selfless? (765-7)
  
• Why does Francisco accept Dagny's taking Hank as a lover?  Why does he say that she still loves him?  In what way does she love him?  (767-8)

Section 3 (769-781)

• Why and how will Francisco be richer producing one pound of copper in the valley than in producing tons of copper in the outside world?  What does that say about the value of production and wealth?  (771)
  
• Why is Dagny agitated over John Galt's routine absences from home in the evening?  Of her two worries, which is more severe -- and why? (773)
  
• Why do Dagny and Galt feel such strong sexual desire for each other -- yet refrain from consummating it?  Would it be wrong at this point -- and if so, why? (775-81)

Section 4 (781-791)

• How and why does Richard Halley have more in common with the businessmen in the valley than with the artists in the outside world?  What is the commonality between art and business? (782-4) 
  
• What is the attitude of the mother toward the raising of her children?  How does it differ from the mothers in the outside world?  (784-5)
  
• How are Dr. Akston's three pupils -- John, Ragnar, and Francisco -- both normal men and exceptional? (786) What were the critical points about their education?  (786-90)
  
• How does Dr. Akston explain the roots of Dr. Stadler's moral decay?  What choices did Stadler face?  Where did he choose wrongly?  Why is Stadler the most guilty?  How has he made the world in his own image? (789-91)

Section 5 (791-802)

• Why is Dagny so excited by Francisco's mine?  Why does that excitement collapse?  (791-4)
  
• Why did Galt give Francisco a chance with Dagny when she went to the cabin at Woodstock?  Why won't he do so later, in the valley?  (795-7)
  
• Why does Francisco want Dagny to stay with him for the week?  Why does Dagny want Galt to decide?  What is the significance of his decision?  What would have been the consequences for Dagny, Galt, and Francisco if Galt decided other than he did?  How would that act of self-sacrifice have been faking reality?  (796-8)
  
• How does Dagny react to Hank Rearden's plane? Why does she react that way?  (799-802)
  
• What is Dagny's basic conflict about whether to stay in the valley or not?  (801-2)

Section 6 (802-813)

• Why does Dagny choose to return to the world?  What does she still have left to learn?  (806-7, 811-2)
  
• How does Francisco react to learning about Galt and Dagny's feelings for each other?  Why?  (809-10)
  
• Why is John Galt going back to the world?  Is he right to do so?  (809-13)

Section 7 (813-815)

• How does Dagny feel about returning to the world? (813-5)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

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Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 12

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 1

• Part 3, Chapter 1: Atlantis

Or:

• Pages 699-751 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 651-699 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

64:55 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (30.6 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (29.8 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 1: Atlantis

Section 1 (701-733)

• What does Dagny see in John Galt on first meeting him?  Is it possible for a person to see that much in another on first meeting?  (701-2)  
  
• What critical information about Galt does Dagny learn about him on their way to his house and then at the house?  What does she think of him? (701-16)
  
• What is the attitude of the inhabitants of the valley toward their past work in the world and their present work in the valley? In what way are all the strikers simply "living" in the valley?  (713-27)
  
• Why does Mulligan's car rent for a rate?  Why doesn't Mulligan allow Galt to use it as a courtesy?  (714)
  
• Why is Dagny penniless in the valley?  Why won't the strikers sell her any gold?  (717-8, 727-8)
  
• Why is Dagny suprised that Andrew Stockton ruined a competitor?  What does that tell us about the values of the valley?  Why do the strikers regard competition as a positive good?  (724-5)
  
• What is Dagny's response to seeing the powerhouse?  Why does it matter so much to her?  (730-3)
  
• What is Galt's oath?  What is its meaning and significance to him and the other strikers?  (731)

Section 2 (733-751)

• What does Dagny want from the other industrialists in the valley?  Should she care about their approval?  (734-6)
  
• Why does Dagny think that the strikers have given up?  Why don't they think that?  (737-8)
  
• What is the essential meaning of and motive for the strike?  (738-41)  Why did each of the men at the dinner party go on strike?  Were they right to do so?  How are their stories similar?  How are they different? (741-46)
  
• Why can't Dagny embrace the valley, even though she has found everything that she ever wanted in it?  Is Dagny's choice either-or, as John Galt says?  (748-9)  Is Galt right to say that Dagny must destroy him if she chooses the world?  (750-1)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

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Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 11

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapters 9-10

• Part 2: Chapter 9: The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
  
• Part 2: Chapter 10: Sign of the Dollar

Or:

• Pages 633-697 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 591-650 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

79:51 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (37.6 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (36.6 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 2: Chapter 9: The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt

Section 1 (633-648)

• What is Dagny's state of mind when she returns to work after the tunnel disaster?  How and why has her attitude toward her work changed?  (633-4)
  
• What is the basic disagreement between Dagny and Francisco? How does that relate to the "man of ability"?  How and why are Francisco and Dagny enemies now? (635-7)
  
• What does the revelation of Hank and Dagny's affair mean to Francisco?  Why does it mean so much to Francisco?  Why is there such a dangerous potential for violence between the two men?  (638-9)
  
• Why is Dagny driven by a sense of justice to reveal to Hank that her first lover was Francisco?  Why is that a worse blow to him than his slap of Francisco?  (641-2)  Why is their sex after so violent?  What momentous choice does Hank face? (642-3)
  
• Why has Quentin Daniels quit?  What does Dagny want him to do instead -- and why? (644-5)

Section 2 (648-653)

• What is Eddie's response to his discovery that Hank and Dagny are lovers?  Why does he respond as he does?  Why does he lie to Dagny? (650, 652-3)
  
• What critical information does Eddie reveal to the railroad worker? How does the worker respond to the news about the motor -- and why? How does he respond to the news about Dagny's relationship with Hank -- and why?  (652-3)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 10: The Sign of the Dollar

Section 1 (654-672)

• What is Dagny's attitude toward the world and toward her work now? How and why has it changed since the scene when we met her? (654-6, 12-17)
  
• How does Dagny respond to the tramp, Jeff Allen?  Why? What does his initial conversation with her reveal about the state of the world?  (656-60)
  
• What is the basic story of the 20th Century Motor Company?  What is the moral principle on which it operated?  What does the story reveal about the real-life effects thereof on the company's products, profits, employees, and community?  Does it matter that it was voluntarily enacted -- and how so or not? (660-72)
  
• Why did the workers of the 20th Century Motor Company support the scheme of the Starnes heirs? Are those the main reasons why people support altruist-collectivist schemes? What were the motives of the Starnes heirs themselves?  (666-8)

Section 2 (672-697)

• What is the response of the passengers to the frozen train? How and why are Jeff Allen and Owen Kellogg different? What is Dagny's response to the frozen train and its passengers? (673-679)
  
• How does Dagny interact with the night dispatcher in Bradshaw to get the Comet moving again? Why is that necessary? How does that differ from her dealings with the crew during the signal light outage?  (685-8, 12-18)
  
• What is the significance of the fact that Dagny has so little to do in the world if anything happens to her plane?  What does she think of the world now? What matters to her? (690-7)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Whole Part

• What is the significance of the title of this part?

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