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What is Atlas Shrugged about?

Updated: 7/5/2021
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Margaretta Emmerich

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3y ago

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Ayn Rand's classic dystopian novel "Atlas Shrugged" is about a society very much like ours today in which the productive people in society - the few people who invent things, start businesses, and develop new and more productive ways of doing things - are being more and more hampered and taxed in their ability to manage their businesses, and the consumptive class - the politicians, bureaucrats and "moochers" of society - demand more and more effort from the productive few.

Figuratively in the story, Atlas, the Greek demigod who carried the world on his shoulders is weary. Atlas shrugs, and drops the world from his shoulders and is freed of his burden. In the novel, the opening line is the recurring question "Who is John Galt?" The inventor John Galt, tired of being taken advantage of, organizes a "strike" of the productive few, and watches civilization collapse around him.

It is a fascinating story, well told (except for a 100-page monologue of John Galt's speech, which drags on even by Randian standards) which has become eerily prescient in its depiction of our collapsing civilization. So even though the novel is over 50 years old, it has received intense new interest as a "libertarian anthem".

A new movie of "Atlas Shrugged" is currently in production, and should be released in 2011.

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Frederik Thompson

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2y ago
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13y ago

Ayn Rand's classic dystopian novel "Atlas Shrugged" is about a society very much like ours today in which the productive people in society - the few people who invent things, start businesses, and develop new and more productive ways of doing things - are being more and more hampered and taxed in their ability to manage their businesses, and the consumptive class - the politicians, bureaucrats and "moochers" of society - demand more and more effort from the productive few.

Figuratively in the story, Atlas, the Greek demigod who carried the world on his shoulders is weary. Atlas shrugs, and drops the world from his shoulders and is freed of his burden. In the novel, the opening line is the recurring question "Who is John Galt?" The inventor John Galt, tired of being taken advantage of, organizes a "strike" of the productive few, and watches civilization collapse around him.

It is a fascinating story, well told (except for a 100-page monologue of John Galt's speech, which drags on even by Randian standards) which has become eerily prescient in its depiction of our collapsing civilization. So even though the novel is over 50 years old, it has received intense new interest as a "libertarian anthem".

A new movie of "Atlas Shrugged" is currently in production, and should be released in 2011.

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Related questions

When was Atlas Shrugged created?

Atlas Shrugged was created on 1957-10-10.


Who wrote 'Anthem' and 'Atlas Shrugged'?

Atlas Shrugged was written by Ayn Rand.


What is the name of the first part of atlas shrugged?

Part 1 of Atlas Shrugged is titled "Non-Contradiction."


Atlas Shrugged was published by whom?

"Atlas Shrugged" was published by Ayn Rand in 1957.


What is the release date of Atlas Shrugged Part 2?

Atlas Shrugged: Part II was released on October 12, 2012.


Who is Willy Loman in Atlas Shrugged?

Willy Loman is no part of "Atlas Shrugged". He is the main character in "Death of a Salesman", by Arthur Miller.


Who is the heroine in atlas shrugged?

Dagny Taggart.


Atlas shrugged author?

Ayn Rand


Who is lilian in atlas shrugged?

Hank Rearden's wife.


Name of a book?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.


What is the publication date for atlas shrugged?

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand was first published in 1957.


What is Lillian Rearden's physical flaw in Atlas Shrugged?

Her eyes