Atlas Shrugged

3^rd blog: Theme (spoiler alert)

Ayn Rand has written many books expressing her political views. Her views come through in the heart of this book, during her crowning speech. Her message is not able to be summed up easily. During John Galt’s speech he states, “We are on strike against self-immolation. We are on strike against the creed of unearned rewards and unrewarded duties. We are on strike against the dogma that the pursuit of one’s happiness is evil. We are on strike against the doctrine that life is guilt”(1010). John Galt has stated what he will talk about for the next 50 pages, which makes this the heart of the book. He and a few others are rebelling against the looters that leached their hard work. Self-immolation was the self-sacrifice that the government required for their pawns. The creed that this leader rebel refuses to accept is that of gifts that are given for no reason and positions that are given to the ones not suited for the job. Ayn Rand then writes that he rejects the idea that if you do something good for yourself you are destroying another. Also that if you reach your goal that you are obligated to allow others to reap your rewards. Then the doctrine he talks about is that of the will and the ability to live is something to be ashamed of. Ayn Rand believes that one should earn their own living along with rule themselves. If you’re not able to keep up you are,”…Free to rise as far as (you are) able or willing, but it’s only the degree to which (you) think that determines the degree to which (you’ll) rise”(1064). John Galt states here that you can live for yourself and get were you want to be, by only your own will to do so. Ayn Rand speaks through her characters and leaves her message written in red ink all over the book.