From our first introduction to them, we see the sharp
contrast between Dagny and her brother Jim. Each represents a different
side in the central struggle of the book. Dagny is strong, bold,
and confident, and represents Rand’s vision of capitalism. She finds
joy in productive, meaningful work. She makes decisions based on
rational, objective facts. Her choice of Rearden Metal is based
solely on her study of its merits and potential to yield profit.
Jim, on the other hand, is weak and depends on public opinion for
his decisions. He fears using Rearden Metal simply because no one
else has used it yet. He is an example of Rand’s view of socialism,
with its focus on sacrificing for the public good and helping “little
guys” even when others have better products.
The issues of personal responsibility and commitment to
work are also demonstrated in these chapters. The weak deflect blame
and refuse to take actions for which they might be held responsible, while
the strong rely on their own judgment and accept responsibility.
The engineer on the train will not move it from its siding until Dagny
agrees to be responsible for the orders. Jim argues that the situation
on the Rio Norte Line is not his fault and refuses to agree to the
purchase of Rearden Metal unless Dagny will take responsibility
for it. In this environment of deflection and apathy, men of talent
appear to be disappearing, a fact that Dagny has begun to notice. The
withdrawal of Richard Halley from public life is mysterious, even more
so after Dagny hears his Fifth Concerto (which does not exist, according
to his publishing company) whistled by a brakeman on the train.
She is also perplexed by the retirement of Owen Kellogg. Despite a
promising career at Taggart, he leaves a job he loves, offering
no reason and no stated plans. Dagny wonders why the irresponsible
remain while the talented men seem to be first to quit.
In Hank Rearden, Rand offers an example of a successful
industrialist moved to joy by the fruits of his own labor. He believes
in what he can see and make, and is driven above all else by his
love for his work. He is self-motivated and self-actualized, though
his family calls him selfish. He is selfish in the sense that he
is motivated to do things for himself, not for the benefit of others.
For Ayn Rand, being motivated by his own values makes Rearden not
only successful but virtuous. His family stands in sharp contrast
to him. They are driven by their own weakness to take from him,
while encouraging him to feel guilty. Their ability to control him
depends on his acceptance of his guilt. This dynamic is central
to the looters’ way of life. By making the strong feel guilty for
their strength and responsible for the weak, the looters are able
to continue living off producers without producing anything themselves.
Rearden fails to understand this paradigm in his personal life even
while recognizing it in his work. This split in his personality
represents a weakness he must overcome. When he gives the bracelet
of Rearden Metal to Lillian, she comments that it represents the
bondage in which he keeps them, but clearly Rearden is the one enslaved
to his family.
The seemingly casual conversation between Rearden
and Paul Larkin offers the reader an ominous foreshadowing of the
political events to come. As a self-made man, Rearden has little patience
for the games one must play in politics. Preferring to spend his
time in his lab and mills, he has not been closely involved in his
“Washington Man’s” activities, an omission that will have grave
consequences.
