Atlas Shrugged Book Summary

One of Ayn Rand's best literary works that provokes thought is Atlas Shrugged. It investigates the ramifications of a collectively dependent society in a dystopian future. Furthermore, it emphasizes the value of individuality and freedom of choice. Even though the economy is getting worse, Dagny Taggart, vice president of operations at Taggart Transcontinental, is working to fix the broken Rio Norte Line so that it can keep servicing Colorado, the only remaining thriving industrial state in the nation. Her efforts are hampered by the nation's most talented businesspeople leaving the country in significant numbers to retire. The San Sebastian Line under Taggart is taken over by the Mexican government, further aggravating the railroad's situation. Though the line was built for Francisco d'Anconia's advantage, their copper mills proved to be worthless, unfortunately. 

The storyline

Francisco used to be a prosperous businessman and Dagny's boyfriend, but as time went on, he became a worthless playboy. Jim, Dagny's brother, utilizes his connections in politics to put forward a bill that would take out Taggart's sole rival in Colorado. This would take care of the railroad's money issues. Dagny is going to use Rearden Metal, the freshly created alloy by Hank Rearden, to fix the Rio Norte Line right away. Francisco informs Dagny that he is purposefully damaging d'Anconia Copper when he is questioned about the San Sebastian mines. Subsequently, he shows up at Rearden's anniversary celebration, when he first encounters the man and issues a severe warning regarding the parasites that are financially dependent on him.

The stock price of Taggart plummeted after the State Science Institute denounced Rearden metal. Dagny makes the decision to launch her own prosperous company in order to mend the line, which she does. Dagny and Rearden's amorous sentiments are beginning to grow. After finding a static-electric motor in an abandoned factory, they form a group and go in search of the device's maker. Colorado introduces new rules that make doing business there more challenging each year. Ellis Wyatt, an oil magnate, lights his wells on fire and then abruptly vanishes. 

As things get worse, Dagny has to close the trains. Sooner or later, more corporate magnates will vanish. Dagny says that someone is taking away guys when they are most needed, calling them destroyers. Francisco goes to see Rearden and inquires as to why, in spite of everything that has happened to him, he has continued to work. Francisco ultimately wins Rearden's affection for his mills when a fire breaks out and they both help to put them out.

Analysis

Dagny chooses to retire in response to the new order, so he runs away to a lodge in the mountains. After learning of the horrific disaster at the Taggart Tunnel, she heads back to her place of employment. She expresses her concern that he will be the destroyer's next victim in a letter she receives from the scientist she had hired to assist with fixing the motor. She pilots an aircraft after him and crashes it on purpose in the mountains in her hurry to find him before he disappears. When she awakens, she discovers that she is in a secluded valley populated by several elderly industrialists. They are referring to their present walkout as a "mental strike". She meets John Galt there, the man responsible for both the engine's creation and destruction. 

Francisco chooses to burn all of his possessions before leaving because of the approaching economic crisis. When it comes to protecting the public interest, politicians nowadays don't even pretend. Their massive influence peddling network exacerbates the already catastrophic condition of disarray as crops wither away due to delays in receiving freight trains that have been misdirected for selfish reasons. The government sets up a disturbance at Rearden Steel in an attempt to seize control of Francisco's mining operations. 

Last words

In the end, Dagny, the strikers, and the guards succeed in freeing him despite a gunfight. As they head down into the valley, Dagny decides she wants to be a part of the strike. The strikers will soon be getting ready to return, and the downfall of the country will soon be completed.

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