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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Dagny object to about the San Sebastian Line?
2. Rand uses the failure of Twentieth Century Motors to make what point about socialism?
3. When the Taggart board and the Washington influence peddlers meet, what is the irony of their meeting place?
4. What is so revolutionary about the motor that never went into production?
5. A theme that runs throughout ATLAS SHRUGGED is one which shows strength and character outside but emptiness and moral corruption inside. What metaphor does Ayn Rand use to illustrate this idea?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe how the chain is viewed by Henry Rearden, Lillian Rearden, and Dagny Taggart. Explain its significance to the story.
2. When Cherryl confronts Dagny and says that she is now Mrs. Taggart, the woman of the family, Dagny replies, "That's quite all right. I'm the man." Explain what she means by that comment.
3. The title of the chapter, "The Exploiters and the Exploited" might suggest that the industrialists like Hank Rearden exploit the public by creating products for their own personal gratification. Rand, however, turns that around to suggest that the socialist government are exploiting the industrialists. Support that idea.
4. At first, Hank Rearden dislikes Francisco d'Anconia. Explain his reasons.
5. Discuss the different views from "the top" and "the bottom."
6. Explain the symbolism of the Twentieth Century Motor Company as Dagny and Hank find it.
7. Explain the conflict within Francisco when he discovers that Rearden had ordered copper from his mines in Argentina.
8. Rand introduces "Wyatt's Torch" as Dagny returns on the train to Wyatt Junction. What does the term suggest?
9. Explain how the mystery of Eddie Willers' unnamed friend in the cafeteria and the shadowy man Dagny sees outside her office add to the suspense of the novel.
10. Why is the idea of "motive" so important in the novel? Explain in detail.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Pretend you are a book reviewer for your local paper. Write a short review of ATLAS SHRUGGED saying why you would or would not recommend it.
Essay Topic 2
The novel opens with New York's buildings being dingy and gray; toward the middle, even the elevators cannot go past the 25th floor; in the end, New York simply disappears. Write an essay explaining the symbolism of New York in the novel.
Essay Topic 3
In the mid 1950ds when ATLAS SHRUGGED was first published, things like refractor rays, light weight steel alloys, and sonic destroyers were fantastic. Write a few pages about how Rand's imagination may be nearer to the truth today.
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This section contains 1,264 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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