CliffsNotes on

Atlas Shrugged

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About the Author

Personal Background
Career Highlights
Rand’s Philosophy: Objectivism

About the Novel

Introduction
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
Character Map

Chapter Summaries and Commentaries

Part One: Chapter 1—The Theme
Part One: Chapter 2—The Chain
Part One: Chapter 3—The Top and the Bottom
Part One: Chapter 4—The Immovable Movers
Part One: Chapter 5—The Climax of the d’Anconias
Part One: Chapter 6—The Non-Commercial
Part One: Chapter 7—The Exploiters and the Exploited
Part One: Chapter 8—The John Galt Line
Part One: Chapter 9—The Sacred and the Profane
Part One: Chapter 10—Wyatt’s Torch
Part Two: Chapter 1—The Man Who Belonged on Earth
Part Two: Chapter 2—The Aristocracy of Pull
Part Two: Chapter 3—White Blackmail
Part Two: Chapter 4—The Sanction of the Victim
Part Two: Chapter 5—Account Overdrawn
Part Two: Chapter 6—Miracle Metal
Part Two: Chapter 7—The Moratorium on Brains
Part Two: Chapter 8—By our Love
Part Two: Chapter 9—The Face Without Pain or Fear or Guilt
Part Two: Chapter 10—The Sign of the Dollar
Part Three: Chapter 1—Atlantis
Part Three: Chapter 2—The Utopia of Greed
Part Three: Chapter 3—Anti-Greed
Part Three: Chapter 4—Anti-Life
Part Three: Chapter 5—Their Brothers’ Keepers
Part Three: Chapter 6—The Concerto of Deliverance
Part Three: Chapter 7—“This is John Galt Speaking”
Part Three: Chapter 8—The Egoist
Part Three: Chapter 9—The Generator
Part Three: Chapter 10—In the Name of the Best Within Us

Character Analyses

John Galt
Dagny Taggart
Hank Rearden
Francisco d’Anconia
James Taggart

Critical Essays

The Role of the Mind in Human Life
The Role of the Common Man in Atlas Shrugged: The Eddie Willers Story

Study Help

Quiz
Discussion Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

What should be his first order of business once President-elect Obama takes office?

Cutting taxes/economic recovery.
Promoting peace in Israel/Gaza.
Ending the war in Iraq.
Creating jobs/dealing with unemployment.
Addressing climate change/environmental issues.

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Study Help

Quiz

1:  What did Ayn Rand call her philosophy?

a. Rational Egotism

b. Socialist Realism

c. Collectivism

d. Objectivism


2:  In the novel, which state is only remaining industrial center in the country?

a. Utah

b. Wyoming

c. Colorado

d. California


3:  Who is one of the leading strikers masquerading as a hedonistic playboy?

a. Eddie Willers

b. Francisco d’Anconia

c. Robert Stadler

d. Ragnar Danneskjöld


4:  What does Ragnar Danneskjöld become in order to fight the looters?

a. Pirate

b. Playboy

c. Politician


5:  Who is the great thinker who is earning his living as a short-order cook?

a. Kurt Koller

b. Hugh Akston

c. Ellis Wyatt

d. Midas Mulligan


6:  Why does John Galt abandon his motor?

a. He must do so in order to conduct the strike.

b. Nobody wants it.

c. It does not work to his satisfaction.

d. The looters forbid its use.


7:  Dagny Taggart pursues John Galt because

a. he controls a hidden collection of motors

b. he is the “destroyer” who drains the brains of the world

c. she needs the support of a real man

d. she wants to disgrace his reputation


8:  Why does John Galt make a radio address to the country?

a. He intends to announce and explain the strike.

b. He wants to publicize his motor.

c. He wants to recruit new thinkers for his strike.

d. He wants to apologize to the country for the turmoil he’s created.


9:  The primary theme of Atlas Shrugged is

a. the effect of corruption on economic markets

b. the need for regulations on industry

c. the importance of the mind to man’s existence

d. the triumph of love over greed


10:  Why does Dagny Taggart refuse to join the strike?

a. She is in love with John Galt.

b. She is unwilling to give up her railroad.

c. She has promised her brother she wouldn’t join.

d. She fears for her life if she joins.


11:  Who said the following: “What can you do when you have to deal with people?”

a. Dagny Taggart

b. Robert Stadler

c. John Galt

d. Hank Rearden


12:  Who said the following: “Contradictions cannot exist. Whenever you think you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.”

a. Francisco d’Anconia

b. Hank Rearden

c. Dan Conway





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