Resumo de Atlas Shrugged

Plot of ''atlas shrugged''

The novel''s plot is split into three parts. The first two
parts, and to some extent the last, follow Dagny Taggart, a no-nonsense
railroad executive, and her attempt to keep the company alive despite repeated
encroachments by a society falling toward collectivism,
altruism,
and statism.
All throughout the novel people repeat a platitude Dagny greatly resents:
"Who is John Galt?" It is a reflection of their helplessness, as the
saying means "Don''t ask important questions, because we don''t have
answers."

The leaders and innovators of industry in the world seem to be disappearing,
and the apparent decline of civilization is making it more and more difficult
for her to sustain her life-long aspirations of running the trans-continental
railroad, which has been in her family for several generations. She deals with
other characters who often personify archetypes of what Rand
considers the various schools of philosophy for living and working in the world
(though they are in most cases often unconscious of it.)

Some of these are: Hank Rearden, a self-made businessman of great integrity
whose career is hindered by his feelings of obligation toward his wife.
Francisco d''Anconia, Dagny''s childhood friend, first love, and king of the
copper industry, appears to have become a worthless playboy who is purposely destroying
his business. Her brother, president of the railroad, who seems peripherally
aware of the troubles facing the company and the country in general, but who
almost always makes the most short term and ultimately self-destructive choice.

As the novel progresses, the myths about the real John Galt, as well as
Francisco d''Anconia''s actions, increasingly become a reflection of the state of
the culture and seem to make more and more sense. Hank and Dagny begin to
experience the futility of their attempts to survive in a society that hates
them and those like them for their greatness.

During their plight, Dagny and Hank find the remnants of a motor that turns
atmospheric static electricity into kinetic energy, an astounding feat; they
also find evidence that the minds (the "Atlases") of the world are
disappearing because of one particular "destroyer" taking them away.
Dagny and Hank deal with the irrationalities and apparent contradictions of
their atmosphere, and search for the creator of the motor as well as "the
destroyer" who is draining the world of its prime movers, in an effort to
secure their ability to live rational lives.

The question "Who is John Galt?" is also answered towards the
closing of the novel - John Galt is a man disgusted that non-productive members
of society use laws and guilt to leech from the value created by productive
members of society. He made a pledge that he would never live his life for the
sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for him, and founded an
enclave, separate from the rest of the country, where he and other productive
members of society have fled.

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