CliffsNotes on

Atlas Shrugged

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Book Summary

Ayn Rand Biography

Early Life and Education
Career Highlights
Rand's Philosophy: Objectivism

About Atlas Shrugged

Introduction
The Cold War and Collectivism
An Appeal for Freedom
The Mind on Strike
Objectivism in Action

Summary and Analysis by Chapter

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

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

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

Critical Essays

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

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for Atlas Shrugged
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Essay Questions
Practice Projects

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Study and Homework 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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