Explore Atlas Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged at Liberty on the Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:00:00 +0000

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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Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 20

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 19

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Sessions 17 & 18

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 16

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 15

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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)

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 14

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 13

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

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

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Download This Episode

Enhanced M4A File (36.1 MB)
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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 12

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 11

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

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

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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?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 10

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapters 7-8

Part 2: Chapter 7: Moratorium on Brains
Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love

Or:

Pages 567-632 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 531-591 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

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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 7: Moratorium on Brains

Section 1 (567-571)

Who is Clifton Locey? What kind of person is he? (568-9)
What is happening at Taggart Transcontinental while Dagny is at the cabin? What is Eddie Willers' state of mind? (567-71)

Section 2 (571-584)

What is Hank Rearden's state of mind after signing the Gift Certificate? What is his attitude toward Lillian and toward his work? (571-2)
What is Rearden's view of Ragnar Danneskjold? Why does he feel conflicted about him? How does he express that in action? (573-84)
By what principles does Ragnar operate as a pirate? What is his purpose? Is he immoral? Is he foolish? What are the major effects of his piracy? (575-81)

Section 3 (584-607)

Step by step, how and why does the tunnel disaster happen? How does each person's thinking and actions contribute to it? Who could have stopped it? Why didn't they stop it? (584-607)
What responsibility to the train passengers bear for the tunnel disaster? How do their ideas lead to the crash? Do they deserve to die? (605-7)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love

Section 1 (608-622)

What is Dagny's state of mind at the cabin? What orders does she give herself? How and why does she struggle with them? (608-12)
In her conversation with Francisco, what does Dagny think are her basic alternatives? What has she yet to learn? What are the basic points that Francisco attempts to explain to Dagny? (618-20)
How does Dagny react to the news of the tunnel disaster? Why does that event drive her to return to the world? (620-2)

Section 2 (622-632)

What is Jim Taggart's response to the tunnel disaster? What does that say about his character and state of mind? (622-7)
How and why does Eddie Willers stand up to Jim in refusing to tell him where Dagny is? Why is he so distraught when Dagny returns? (624-6)
What does Dagny say to Hank about her return? What does she mean? (631-2)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 9

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapters 5-6

Part 2: Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn
Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

Or:

Pages 496-566 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 466-531 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

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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 5: Account Overdrawn

Section 1 (496-517)

What is the state of the world by February 15th? What are the causes of the ever-faster decline? How and why are people at the mercy of nature? How and why do the leaders in industry and politics respond as they do? (496-501)
Who is Mr. Weatherby? What is his purpose at the Taggart Transcontinental board meeting? How and why do the board members treat him as they do? (502-11)
Why does Dagny refuse to express any opinions about what Taggart Transcontinental should do? Why does the board want her to kill the John Galt Line? Why are they unwilling to do it themselves? (506-11)
What lesson does Francisco want Dagny to draw from the story of Nat Taggart's battle to build the railroad? Does she draw that lesson? What does he learn about her state of mind? (513-5)

Section 2 (517-521)

Why do Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden want to be present at the last run of the John Galt Line? What does the closed Marsh factory mean to Dagny? (518-9)

Section 3 (521-525)

How do James Taggart and Lillian Rearden interact in this lunch meeting? What does the meeting accomplish for them? (521-4)
What is Lillian's plan for Hank Rearden? How does she intend to trap him with her gift of flowers? What was her expected versus unexpected opportunity? (524-5)

Section 4 (525-531)

Why is Lillian so shocked and dismayed to discover that Dagny Taggart is Hank Rearden's mistress? What does she grasp about its significance? Why does she insist that he give her up? Why does he refuse? (526-9)
What does Hank realize about his own prior views on hearing Lillian's comments about Dagny? Why is that significant? (530)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

Section 1 (532-549)

What is the purpose of the meeting between these men -- Mouch, Lawson, Taggart, Thompson, Boyle, Ferris, and Kinnon? What do they reveal about themselves? How are they similar to and different from one another? (532-49)
What is the content of Directive 10-289? What is the purpose and likely effects of each point? Why is it so evil? (538-9)
Why are the looters concerned about what Rearden might do? What could he do to them and by what means? (547-8)

Section 2 (549-554)

Why does Dagny resign immediately in response to Directive 10-289? Why can't Eddie Willers follow, even thought he wants to do so? (552-3)

Section 3 (554-566)

What is the response to Directive 10-289 at Rearden's mills? In particular, why does Tom Colby quit? Why does the Wet Nurse want to help Rearden to break the law? (554-6)
What does Rearden learn about himself and the looters in his conversation with Dr. Ferris about the Gift Certificate? (559-66)
Why does Rearden choose to sign the Gift Certificate? Is he right to do so? Why or why not? (565-6)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 8

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapters 3B-4

Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (Sections 4-5)
Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of Victim

Or:

Pages 438-495 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 412-465 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

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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 3: White Blackmail

Section 4 (438-440)

What kind of stress makes a person "vulnerable" to the destroyer? (439)

Section 5 (440-447)

How is Ken Danagger changed when Dagny meets him? Does she have any chance of reversing his decision? Why not? (443-7)

Section 6 (447-460)

How does Hank Rearden respond to Ken Danagger's quitting? Why can't he blame or follow Danagger? (448-9)
What is the basic point of Francisco's interrogation of and then speech to Rearden? What does Rearden learn from that? (451-6)
Why does Francisco respond the way that he does to the break-out at the mills? How is that response contrary to his aims? Why can't Francisco continue his conversation with Hank after that? (456-60)
Why does Hank Rearden risk his life to save Francisco during the break-out? Is that altruistic? Why or why not? (458)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim

Section 1 (461-475)

How has Hank Rearden's attitude toward and treatment of his family changed? How -- and why -- has it remained the same? (461-71)
Why does Lillian barrage Hank with guilt? What does she want him to think, feel, and do? What flaw does Hank see in that plan? (464-6)
What does Philip say to offend Hank? How -- and why -- does Hank respond? How is that moral progress for Hank? How does Philip (and the rest of his family) respond to Hank? (467-70)
Why does Eddie wish to disavow Hank Rearden's trial as not being in his name? How does Hank respond? Why? (473)
How -- and why -- does Hank have a more meaningful Thanksgiving with Dagny than with his family? (474-5)

Section 2: (475-484)

What is Rearden's basic strategy in the trial? What moral principles does he appeal to? To what extent is he successful? What does he learn? (476-82)

Section 3 (484-495)

How do people respond to the trial of Hank Rearden? How do they reveal their own moral principles in those responses? (484-5)
Why is Hank concerned by Francisco's apparent pursuit of mindless pleasures, particularly sex? What does Hank learn from the discussion? How is sex related to economics? (489-93)
Why does Francisco refuse to prevent the sinking of the copper shipment? Why is he tempted to do so? Why does Hank feel so betrayed? Should he be? (494-5)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 7

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapters 2-3A

Part 2: Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull
Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (Sections 1-3)

Or:

Pages 352-406 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 379-438 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
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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 2: The Aristocracy of Pull

Section 1 (379-382)

What kind of person is Quentin Daniels? How is he different from the scientists Dagny interviewed earlier? (380-1, 353)

Section 2 (383-387)

What kind of deal did Hank Rearden and Ken Dannager make? What are the risks? Why are they willing to take those risks? (383)
Why is Lillian determined to attend James Taggart's wedding with Hank? Why does Hank want to do anything but that? Why does Hank agree to attend? (385-7)

Section 3 (387-392)

How does Jim Taggart court Cherryl? Why and how is she pained by it? (387-92)

Section 4 (392-422)

How and why the wedding party a major political event? How do Orren Boyle and James Taggart think of and deal with other people, including each other? (392-5)
How and why does Lillian bring Hank as a present for Jim Taggart? What does she reveal about her aims with respect to her husband? What is the non-material recompense that Lillian wants from Jim? (398-400)
How and why is Lillian repeatedly frustrated in her conversation with Dagny? Why does Lillian want the bracelet of Rearden Metal back from Dagny? Why does Dagny respond as she does? What is the significance of Hank's response? (400-3)
Why doesn't Dagny reproach Hank for appearing at the wedding with Lillian? Why is Hank tortured? How does that reflect their different views of their relationship? (396-8, 403-4)
What does Francisco mean in saying that an aristocracy of pull replaces an aristocracy of money when a culture is freed from (in Taggart's words) "the stranglehold of the profit-chasers"? (404) Is that true? How have we seen that so far in the novel?
What is Francisco's response to the Biblical claims that "money is the root of all evil" and that "love of money is the root of all evil"? What are the critical points that Francisco makes? How does he connect money with production and man's mind? How is money only a tool? Why is the only alternative to money brute force? (410-5)
Why is Hank so happy to see Francisco? What is the significance of the friendship to each man? (415)
Why does Francisco reveal the impending crash of D'Anconia Copper at the party? Why does he want Hank Rearden to see the panic of the looters? How does that crash connect to Francisco's speech on money? (421-2)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail

Section 1 (423-428)

Why does Dagny say that if one person's pleasure must be bought at another person's pain that no trade should be done? How would that apply to Hank's relationship with Lillian? (425-6) Should that apply to all relationships?

Section 2 (428-432)

Why did Lillian suspect Hank of having an affair? What kind of person does she suppose his mistress to be? Why? (428-30)
What is Lillian's response to Hank's affair? Why is she determined to remain Mrs. Rearden? Why does Hank agree to that? (428-32)

Section 3 (432-438)

What is Dr. Ferris' manner of dealing with Hank Rearden? What kind of agreement is Ferris hoping to reach with Rearden? What does Rearden choose to do instead? (432-7)
What does Rearden learn about the looters in his conversation with Dr. Ferris? (432-7) Why does Ferris want people to break their laws? (435-7)

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 6

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapter 10B-Part 2, Chapter 1

Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (Sections 5-9)
Part 2: Chapter 1: The Man Who Belonged on Earth

Or:

Pages 309-378 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 294-358 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
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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 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch

Section Five: 309-13

What do we discover about Eugene Lawson in the course of his conversation with Dagny Taggart? What did he seek and gain from the needy people to whom he granted loans, if not wealth? (309-13)

Section Six: 313-21

How are Lee Hunsacker and Midas Mulligan different? How and why do they clash? Are the two men morally different? If so, how? (313-21)

Section Seven: 321-24

What was the basic scheme for the Twentieth Century Motor Company implemented by the Starnes heirs? Why does Dagny think that it is pure evil? (323)
What was Ivy Starnes' philosophy when she inherited the Twentieth Century Motor Company? What is it now? Why did she change as she did? (323)

Section Eight: 324-27

How is Mrs. Hastings different from everyone else that Dagny has interviewed? Why is that important? (324-7)

Section Nine: 327-36

What is so puzzling about Dr. Akston's meeting with Dagny? What conclusions can she draw from it, if any?
What is the Fair Share Law? What is its basic premise? Why was it passed? (333) How will it kill Colorado?
Why does Ellis Wyatt rebel against the Fair Share Law as he does? How has he fulfilled his earlier promise to Dagny? How does Wyatt's action affect Dagny? (333-6)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Whole Part

What is the significance of the title of this part?

Part 2: Chapter 1: The Man Who Belonged on Earth

Section 1: 339-49

How has the state of the world changed since the end of Part 1? How has it declined?
Why does Dr. Stadler want to meet with Dr. Ferris? Why won't Stadler do anything about the book? How is this choice similar to and different from the choice Stadler made about Rearden Metal? (342-8)

Section 2: 349-60

What was the effect of the elimination of Wyatt Oil from the market? (349-50) Are large producers a boon to small ones?
What is the effect of the Fair Share Law on Taggart Transcontinental? Why is Taggart Transcontinental making more money than ever? What is Jim's response? (352)
Why does Dagny feel greater revulsion at Dr. Stadler than Jim or Orren Boyle? (353) Is he worse than the others? Why or why not -- and how?
What does Dr. Stadler want from Dagny? What does she give him? Is she right to do so? (354-60)
Why does Dr. Stadler want to see the motor? How and why does he almost redeem himself? (358-9)

Section 3: 360-7

Why does Rearden refuse to sell any Rearden Metal to the State Science Institute? What does he suggest they do instead? Why? (360, 365-6)
How has the Fair Share law affected Rearden's business? Why? (361-2)
What danger does Rearden feel on hearing the news of Wyatt's departure from the world? What is his response? Is that right or not? (363)
What moral insight does Rearden's conversation with the representative of the State Science Institute reveal? What does he now understand? (366-7)

Section 4: 367-78

How has Hank's view of his relationship with Dagny changed? How is that reflected in his actions toward her? (367-78) Why does Dagny think that she can help Hank win his deliverance from guilt, but that she cannot do so by words? (367)
What does Hank discover about the looter's desire for sanction? How is it important? Why should they withhold that sanction? (377-8)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 5

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 9-10A

Part 1: Chapter 9: The Sacred and the Profane
Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (Sections 1-4)

Or:

Pages 253-309 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 241-294 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
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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 1: Chapter 9: The Sacred and the Profane

Section 1: 253-56

Why does Hank say what he says to Dagny the morning after their first night together? Why does Dagny's reaction change as she listens to him? Why does she says what she says in response? (254-6)

Section 2: 256-67

What kind of person is Cherryl Brooks? How and why does Cherryl misunderstand Jim Taggart's character? What does she think of what he says? Why doesn't she see the truth about him? (257-67)

Section 3: 267-9

Why is Hank Rearden so tortured by the fact of Dagny's past lover? What does that tell her (and us) about him? Why won't she tell Rearden the identity of her prior lover? (268-9)

Section 4: 269-73

What does Mr. Mowen reveal about his character in conversation with the worker (Owen Kellogg)? Are Mr. Mowen's views coherent or contradictory? How so? (270-3)

Section 5: 273-9

Why does Hank presume that his invitation to speak at the National Council of Metal Industries is a peace offering? (275) How is he wrong? Why does Dagny think him (too) generous? (274-6)
How and why is Hank optimistic about the future? Why does he think the Equalization of Opportunity Bill will not exist in three years? Is he right (at that time) to be so optimistic? (277)
Why does Hank want Dagny to go on a vacation with him? Why does he want her to wear the bracelet of Rearden Metal? How has his attitude changed since their first night together? Why would anyone guessing their affair be worse for him than for her? (278-9)

Section 6: 279-91

How is Starnesville in worse shape than other towns Hank and Dagny have seen? Why is it so alarming? (281, 283-6)
Why is Dagny so excited to discover the motor? What disturbs Hank about the discovery? What is the importance of the creation of the motor and the significance of it being abandoned? (287-90)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch

Section 1: 292-4

How and why did the 20th Century Motors die such an ignoble death? (292-3)

Section 2: 294-8

How and why does Dagny respond as she does to the claim by Mayor Bascom that she is not Hank's wife? How and why does Hank respond as he does? What is it about Mayor Bascom's explanation that resembles Hank's own views? (296-7)

Section 3: 298-301

How has Dagny protected Jim from the consequences of his Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule? Did she see that so clearly at the time? Why does she feel a chill on thinking that self-interest is not Jim's motive? What is the alternative? (300)

Section 4: 301-9

What kinds of shady actions must Rearden take to save his mills? Are those actions moral, even though illegal? How and why do government controls make criminals of honest men? (302)
What does Lillian reveal about herself and her values in her conversation with Rearden? How does Rearden give Lillian more credit than she deserves? What does she deserve? What are her motives? (304-9)
Why does Lillian think that Rearden has an obligation to make her happy? Is that a reasonable expectation? Is it a common expectation? Should Hank oblige her? (307)

Explore Atlas Shrugged: Session 4

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com. They aim to be of help to people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as to 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 1, Chapters 7B-8

Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 5-9)
Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line

Or:

Pages 185-252 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 178-241 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

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Download This Episode

Enhanced M4A File (31.4 MB)
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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.)

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited

Section 5: 185-92

What is Dr. Stadler's basic modus operandi? What motivates him to act as he does? How does he view other people? Why did he found the State Science Institute? (185-92)

Section 6: 192-7

Why does Dagny choose to take on the burden of completing the Rio Norte Line alone? What are the basic terms of the deal she offers Jim? Is the deal just or not? (193-5)

Section 7: 197-201

Why is Francisco D'Anconia so pained by Dagny's request for investment? Why does he refuse to help her? Why does his attitude change so dramtically in the middle of the conversation? What is Dagny's response to that change? (197-201)

Section 8: 201-5

What does Rearden reveal about his feelings for Dagny when she suggests that he has only ever thought of her as a man? Why does Dagny think that of him? Why does Hank think of his feelings for Dagny as a betrayal of her? (204-5)

Section 9: 205-216

What is the basic moral difference between the request of Mrs. Rearden and the request of Mr. Ward to Hank Rearden? Why does Hank refuse the former yet work hard to satisfy the latter? (206-213)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line

Section 1: 217-8

Why does Eddie feel like a stooge for Jim Taggart? In what way is that feeling right? (218)

Section 2: 219-21

What does Dagny's longing for "a consciousness like her own" reveal about her romantic ideal? Why doesn't Francisco or Hank satisfy that longing? (220)

Section 3: 221-7

How does Rearden's sale of his ore mines to Paul Larkin differ from his sale of his coal mines to Ken Dannager? What do these transactions reveal about each man? (221-4)

Section 4: 227-33

What kind of ideas and values motivate and guide the opinions of laymen and intellectuals about Rearden Metal? (227-9)
What kind of game is the delegate of the Union of Locomotive Engineers attempting to play with Dagny? How does she block it? (231-2)

Section 5: 233-6

What does Rearden's claim that he will earn enormous profits yet benefit the public with his metal reveal about his view of the interests of producers and consumers? (235)

Section 6: 236-9

How is the opening of the John Galt Line a true celebration for Dagny -- unlike her debut ball as a young woman? (236-9)

Section 7: 239-242

What does Ayn Rand reveal about her view of the proper relationship between mind and body in the first run of the John Galt Line? (241, 243, 245-6)
What permits Hank Rearden to express his desire for Dagny? What is Dagny's motivation for the affair with Hank? Why is their sex so violent? (250-2)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged: Session 3

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 6-7A

Part 1: Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 1-4)

Or:

Pages 127-185 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 124-178 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

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Download This Episode

Enhanced M4A File (28.7 MB)
Standard MP3 File (27.9 MB)

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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.)

Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial

Section 1 (127-57)

Why does Rearden find it difficult to motivate himself to play his role in the anniversary party? What is the nature and source of his psychological conflict? (127-31)
What is the Equalization of Opportunity Bill? What is its analog in today's laws? Why do people support it? What is Rearden's attitude toward it -- and why? (130)
How does Hank respond to Dagny at the anniversary party? Why is Dagny disappointed? Why does he respond the way that he does? (137-8, 149-51)
Why is Rearden so angry at the presence of Bertram Scudder? Why does Lillian respond the way that she does to his anger? Why did she invite Scudder? (139)
How does Francisco explain the failure of the San Sebastian Mines to Jim? What kind of moral principles did Francisco adhere to in building the mine? Why was failure the only possible result? (143)
How does Hank Rearden reveal his view of the world in his conversation with Francisco D'Anconia? What is the difference in their basic outlooks? What ideas does Francisco want to arm Hank with? (145-9)
Why does Dagny want the bracelet of Readen Metal from Lillian? Why does Lillian trade it with her? Why does Hank respond to that exchange the way that he does? (155-7)

Section 2 (157-61)

What is Lillian's view of sex? Why does it torture Hank? Is he right or wrong to accept that torture? (158-60)
Why does Hank now find it impossible to have sex with Lillian? What has changed for him? (160)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited

Section 1: 162-72

What kind of virtues are required for Dagny's work on the Rio Norte Line? Does she deserve admiration? Why? (162-72)
How are the interests of all the producers in harmony, even though competitors? Why do they help each other? (163, 165-6, 168-9)
Why do Hank and Dangy think that Colorado cannot be stopped? Are they right or wrong? (171)

Section 2: 172-8

Why does Dagny refuse to debate the question "Is Rearden Metal a lethal product of greed?" (175)

Section 3: 178-82

What is the fundamental difference in manner between Hank Rearden and Dr. Potter of the State Science Institute? How is Dr. Potter like James Taggart? Why does Rearden refuse to sell Rearden Metal? (178-82)

Section 4: 182-5

Why does Mr. Mowen now refuse to work with Rearden Metal? What is his method of dealing with contrary public opinion? (182-3)
Why is the State Science Institute's statement on Rearden Metal so unjust? If Rearden Metal is good, why can't the statement be refuted? (183-5)

Explore Atlas Shrugged: Session 2

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 4-5

Part 1: Chapter 4: The Immovable Movers
Part 1: Chapter 5: The Climax of the d'Anconias

Or:

Pages 64-126 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 67-124 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

Download This Episode

Enhanced M4A File (23.2 MB)
Standard MP3 File (22.5 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 1, Chapter 4: Immovable Movers

Section 1 (64-69)

Why does Dagny seek to be a passive spectator of greatness? Why is that so important to her? (65-6)

Section 2 (70-72)

What is the nature of Jim's relationship with Betty Pope? What does that reveal about his capacity to feel emotions and his concern for spiritual values? (70-2)

Section 3 (72)

How does Jim spin the San Sebastián nationalization to the Board? What does that reveal about his character? (72)

Section 4 (73)

What do Jim Taggart and Orren Boyle think of Francisco D'Anconia? What does that reveal about them? (73)

Section 5 (73-77)

What is the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule? Why do the railroad executives vote for it, even though they do not support it? (73-5)
Why does Dagny not speak to Jim about the San Sebastián nationalization? Was that a mistake? Has he accepted that he was wrong? (75-6)

Section 6 (77-80)

Why does Dagny Taggart want Dan Conway to fight the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule? Should he abide by it? Why is he willing to accept it? What has defeated him? (77-80)
What is Dagny Taggart's view of the morality of sacrifice? What is Dan Conway's view? Who is right? (78)

Section 7 (81-82)

Why does Wyatt speak as he does to Dagny? Why does she accept his beating? (81-2)

Section 8 (82-88)

How do Hank and Dagny transact business? How are they both allies and antagonists? How is their approach different from that seen in the earlier meeting between the looters in the bar? (83-5)
How does Dagny's response to the loading of the Rearden Metal differ from that his family? Has she given Hank something he needed? What is that? (86)
Why does Hank say that he and Dagny are blackguards without spiritual values? Does Hank have spiritual values? Why does Hank's claim worry Dagny, yet only in part? (87-8)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 5: The Climax of the D'Anconias

Section 1 (89-90)

How does Eddie Willers respond to the discovery that the San Sebastián Mines are worthless? Why? (89-90)

Section 2 (90-126)

How was Jim Taggart corrupt in his childhood? Could he have been a better person? If so, why does he choose as he does? (93, 94, 95-6) What effect does college have on Jim? (99)
Why does Francisco say that a person's work is "the only measure of human value"? Does he mean that nothing else in life matters? What is he warning Dagny against? (100)
What is Francisco and Dagny's first sexual encounter like? Why? How were they innocent of any burden of sin — and why? (107-9)
When they meet that last night in the Wayne-Faulkland Hotel, what is Francisco's state of mind? Why doesn't he tell Dagny everything? (111-5)
How did Francisco swindle Jim and his friends with the San Sebastián Mines? How does he explain his actions to Dagny? What is her response? How was the swindle "tearing the lid off hell and letting men see it"? (118-121, 122-6)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Explore Atlas Shrugged: Session 1

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 1-3

Part 1: Chapter 1: The Theme
Part 1: Chapter 2: The Chain
Part 1: Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

Or:

Pages 1-63 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 9-67 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

Download This Episode

Enhanced M4A File (25.4 MB)
Standard MP3 File (24.7 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.)

Section 1 (3-12)

What is the state of the world? What is Eddie Willers' response to it? How is that world similar to and different from the world of today? (3-6, 11-12)
As children, how do Eddie and Dagny differ in their understanding of "the best within us"? What is Eddie's view of morality? (6)
What are Jim's methods of dealing with problems on the railroad? How is Eddie's approach different? How do those differences reflect each person's moral character? (7-11)

Section 2 (12-17)

How does Dagny's response to the stalled train differ from that of the crew? What qualities of character does she reveal? What does that suggest about the state of Taggart Transcontinental -- and the wider culture? (15-7)

Section 3 (17-18)

What is Dagny's emotional response on entering the Taggart terminal? What does she feel about her work? Is that unusual? Is that good? Why or why not?

Section 4 (18-26)

Why doesn't Jim want to buy rail from Hank Rearden, particularly not rail made of Rearden Metal? How does he attempt to prevent Dagny from doing so? Why -- and how -- does Dagny insist on doing so? Who is right -- and why? (18-24)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1, Chapter 2: The Chain

Section 1 (27-43)

Is the pouring of the first heat of Rearden Metal an accomplishment worthy of notice and esteem? Why don't most people notice and esteem it? How does Rearden respond to the worker who does? How is that response unusual for Rearden? (27-32)
When Rearden returns home after pouring his first heat of Rearden Metal, what does he want from his family? How do they treat him? Why? How does he respond to them? Why? (29-43)
Why does Hank Rearden offer his brother Philip the donation for Friends of Global Progress? How does Philip respond -- and why? Was offering the donation a mistake on Hank's part? Why? (41-3)
Does Hank have an obligation to support his family? Should he share his wealth with them? Does he owe them affection or attention? Why or why not? (29-43)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1, Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

Section 1 (44-50)

What is the deal that James Taggart and Orren Boyle make? Why don't they they speak of it openly -- and what moral claims do they use to conceal it? (44-50)
Are the four men at the meeting -- James Taggart, Orren Boyle, Wesley Mouch, and Parl Larkin -- defenders of capitalism? Why or why not? (44-50)

Section 2 (50-62)

What is the basic history of the San Sebastian Line? Why was Dagny opposed to it? How did Jim convince the Board of Directors to approve it? Why did Dagny build it?
How is Dagny now protecting Taggart Transcontinental from the San Sebastian Line? Why does she fear its nationalization? (54-8)
What is the basic story of Nat Taggart? Why does Dagny feel reverence for him? Why does she regret that he is an ancestor? (59-60)

Section 3 (62-63)

What information about himself, Dagny, and the railroad does Eddie reveal to the railroad worker? (62-3)

Whole Chapter

What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Schedule of Readings

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Hsieh) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The discussion questions and podcasts on Ayn Rand's epic novel Atlas Shrugged are broken down into twenty sessions, each covering about 65 pages of the novel. That is the format that Front Range Objectivism is using for its Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups.

Please note that the pagination of the two larger hardcover and softcover editions differ from that of the smaller mass market paperback. I recommend using the larger edition: I don't always list page numbers for the smaller edition on this web site.

Session 1

Pages 1 - 63 (larger) or 9 - 67 (smaller)
Part 1: Chapter 1: The Theme
Part 1: Chapter 2: The Chain
Part 1: Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

Session 2