In "Atlas Shrugged", Ayn Rand provides a well-written explanation of objectivism in a monumental novel about those who hold the world on their shoulders. Her characters are a myriad of individuals, ranging from the highest achievement possible: a human, to one of the most horrid creatures on this planet: a once-human imbecile. She gives the reader insight into the psyche of society and the motivations behind our actions. In this novel, Rand's most righteous characters are those with the most internal conflict. They must shed their conditioning that has been imposed on them by the earth's people and leave behind what they value as most precious. There is one character that is held higher than the rest. A man of morality, introspection, and enigma, he begins the book and finishes it. So, who is John Galt?
John Galt is Rand's brilliant character that blends imagination and intelligence. John Galt can be described as having the same opinion on life that Henry David Thoreau does.
Atlas sculpture, New York City, by sculptor Lee La...
English: The quote; "Who is John Galt" from Ayn Ra...
English: Protester seen at Chicago Tax Day Tea Par...They both believe you shouldn't carry the world on your shoulders; they realize that in fact by giving things to the needy (Rand would use the word unworthy) you aren't enabling them to become better people, but merely allowing them o feed off of other's success. Their opinions differ in that Thoreau had good intentions for all and Galt is only interested in the very best for the competent and likes the idea of leaving saps in the dust. Galt brings Atlas's people from the earth into their Olympus, Galt's Gulch. There, these remarkable competent people are able to create their own utopia of industry and live without the weight of the earth's incompetents. He, like Dagny Taggart, Francisco d'Anconia, and Henry Reardon, is a person of high ideals and standards. He values the dollar...