Ragnar Danneskjld Position In The Book Atlas Shrugged Book Review1

Running Head: ATLAS SHRUGGED 1

Ragnar Danneskjöld Position in the Book ‘Atlas Shrugged (Book Review)

Name

Institution Affiliation

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Introduction

The book, Atlas Shrugged was written by Ayn Rand and published by Random House in

the New York City in the year 1957. Rand’s piece of work was targeting to communicate to

every reader who may wish to recall and understand the historical line of objectivism in the

society. The book perceives the United States as a region where the economy is experiencing

downward spiral with many citizens losing jobs after the closure of businesses. In the attempt to

build a chronological flow of the events, the author keeps the story in a temporal world. She

expresses the central theme of social-political and economic situations that are imminent to the

American by using various characters who help bring the clear concept of its objectivity (Rand,

1957).

Summary

The book looks at an environment that is going through a worsening environmental

condition after enjoying an extended period of industrial booming in the United States. Rand

depicts a picture of an economy that haunts her efforts by having the country’s most productive

and talented entrepreneurs disappearing leaving the economic conditions hanging at the hands of

less capable citizens and the government that could not be entirely trusted to bring the much-

anticipated change. She provides examples of individuals that ails the economy of the country

through the offering of favors to the states and law enforcers that has led to the politicization of

the railroad running since the collapse of Colorado.

The book portrays a situation where the politicians no longer show the pretense of

providing service for the public good; instead, they work against the goodwill of the people

without the fear of compromising the public confidence in them. The political affiliations have

the biggest network spreading influence which consequently creates chaos that is directed for

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personal favors. An instance is presented where the government attempted to gain control of the

Rearden Steel Mills but the organization fight back which justifies an imminent threat from big

corporates and the government. The author introduces a character John Galt, who eventually

turned to be a destroyer and at the same time a maker of the motor. The latter later became to be

a revolutionist who had organized various strike protesting on the economic rights of the simple

majority. In some instance, John Galt made a lengthy speech addressing the country on the terms

of the strike that he was organizing, intercepting a statement on the economic situation by the

then head of state (Rand, 1957).

Question 1

In the bid to communicate her main agenda, Rand introduces Ragnar Danneskjold who

was an aristocrat and a philosopher. Ragnar joined the strike organized by John Galt and both

become great friends. Ragnar was a brilliant philosopher who went to the extent of fighting

looters to take the wealth back to the rightful hands. On the opposite side, there was Robin Hood

who was the antagonist of Ragnar Danneskjold who looted from the poor and gave the wealthy

members of the European society.

Ragnar Danneskjöld position

Controversially, Ragnar Danneskjold says he loves that which has rarely been enjoyed by

others in the community which brings attention to the reason why he is so interested in caring

lives, and yet he is ready to lose his life for this service. In this context, Ragnar meant his

undivided attention towards protection of the weak in his society. Besides, the commitment

displayed in the act of getting looted properties back to the right hands means that his devotion is

not centered on the personal interest rather on the benefit of the common good for the people. By

indicating that human ability has never been loved, Ragnar Danneskjöld tried to compare his

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current rescue efforts to the commonly held perception that most of the aristocratic endeavors are

attached to economic gains. He further believed that despite, having no attachments to friendship

and recognition, the human ability was a virtuous aspect that he would pursue with whatever that

it takes.

Question 2

Ragnar Danneskjöld attitude is related to "from each according to his ability, to each

according to his need" in a couple of ways. First, Ragnar compares his effort to a network of

issues which, despite his effort can never be comprehensively addressed. He shows a household

scenario of endless needs that, no matter how hard and committed he is, it will always be

challenging to come by the ultimate end. Ragnar terms these affairs as tedious and requires more

and more as the demand keeps rising each time more effort is committed. Secondly, Ragnar’s

comment concurs with the attitude when he acknowledges the efforts are futile and no matter

how long he works, he would have nothing to show at the end apart from the bright faces of the

people that have benefited from such efforts. He compares this situation to pouring water into a

big tank that has a drainage pipe at the bottom which, apparently draws more water and the more

he puts in, the more is drawn out.

Question 3

In many ways, I agree with Ragnar Danneskjöld attitude. The impartiality is admirable

and brings more right in restoring the hope of the oppressed members of the society. Further, his

strategy is encouraging in the fight against the oppressing of the less affluent individuals by the

political affiliations and other influential persons in the community. Should similar attitude have

existed in the society, equality would no longer be big agenda; society would have felt safer in

the hands of the government. However, his attitude is faced with a natural obstacle of human

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insufficiency. Ragnar accepts that the fight of what he believes in a not a one day journey and

without societal cooperation, it would take him forever without rest, without end, or rather to the

end of his life. His efforts to make a change that can be quantified in his attempt to satisfy

everyone according to his ability, to each according to his or her needs, therefore requires more

than just himself.

Conclusion

Rand’s book presents a strong ideology in the real world and the obstacles that human

rights and freedom fighter go through in their unwavering commitments to ensure an equitable

living. The book provided a clear model of examples on businesses that are drawn from the main

characters’ decisions from chapter to chapter. These concepts are imperative as they can be

applied to workplace, society and in the whole country to achieve the economic tranquility. I

agree that Atlas Shrugged in not a commonly accessed book, it very long and used complicated

themes, but this piece of work is enjoyable to read. In most cases, the selection and combination

of stylistic devices present encouraging messages "man is his own hero" which makes the reader

decide the values of life to uphold, work for, and the anticipate results.

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References

Rand, A. (1957). Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged. New York: Random House. Retrieved from

https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/112/ayn-rand-atlas-shrugged.pdf

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Ragnar Danneskjld Position in the Book Atlas Shrugged Book Review1

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