Atlas Shrugged Book Reflection Essay

ATLAS SHRUGGED : AN ANALYSIS

OF ITS CENTRAL CHARACTERS

Introduction

This looks into two central characters in Ayn Rand 's fiction novel Atlas Shrugged , Hank Rearden and Francisco D 'Anconia . As this points out , both characters are brilliant , driven and at one time were leaders in the same industry - metal . But , as the cites , the similarities end there . Their views , mindset and motivation are as vastly different as east and west . While Hank Rearden embodies the capitalist and his motivation to produce , Francisco D 'Anconio represents the ideals from the other

side of the fence - socialism through the strike . It is not surprising therefore that both characters approach life differently and are motivated for different reasons

Hank Rearden

Hank Rearden is one of the industrialists in the novel Atlas Shrugged . He embodies success , is focused , single-minded and driven He derives joy from the fruits of his own labor to the utter exclusion of other areas in his life (that subsequently impact negatively on his business . Unlike many others who plod on with their jobs half-heartedly , Rearden 's dedication to his business , simply out of pure joy , is impressive . He is self-actualized , self-motivated unafraid to innovate , and uninterested in what he believes are superficial matters such as politics . Yet , for all of Rearden 's brilliance , he fails to see how his own family lives ' off him similar to parasites , by making him feel guilty about his own successes Rearden 's family represents the general sentiments and mindset of many...