Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Feminism in Atlas Shrugged

Although a famed female writer, no one ever associates Ayn Rand with any feminist ideals whatsoever. However, even though she is more objectivist than feminist her writing still have some feminist value.
Atlas Shrugged, Rand's 1000+ tribute to objectivist theory, revolves around Rand's typical female protagonist, Dagny Taggart. Taggart's character would be of particular interest to a feminist critic, this strong-willed railroad heiress single handedly pushes her buisiness plan (with mixed success) for Taggart Transcontinental, even through the obstacles placed before her by the increasingly socialist (and only characterized as male) government and her brother, James. Dagny is one of the few females in Rand's industrial paradise hidden somewhere in Colorado, and is the only woman executive in the entire novel. Not only is she savvy, but she's capable. On the first run of Taggart Transcontinental's cross-country rail made entirely of Rearden Metal, Dagny "mans" the train along with the engineers, firemen, and conductors.
Another interesting facet of Dagny Taggart is her sexual independence. However, from an objectivist perspective this owes to Rand's belief that sex is the highest expression of value, rather than from any attempt at liberation by Dagny. Nevertheless, Dagny's sex life does play a significant role in Atlas Shrugged, and a feminist critic would certainly take note.
One of the most important aspects of feminism in Atlas Shrugged is Dagny's equality in the eyes of men like Hank Rearden, Francisco d'Anconia. When she's brought to Galt's Gulch and presents her ideas to create a railroad to service Francisco's mining operations, she is listened to, respected, and encouraged. Not once is Dagny marginalized as a woman by any of Rand's ideal characters.
The only question that this really leaves though, is, "Who is John Galt?"

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