Changes

== History and development ==

== History and development ==

Ayn Rand would later say that she had in mind to write a novel on the theme of the tension between the mind and the heart, and the inherent superiority of reason to emotion.<ref name="history>"History" of Atlas Shrugged," The Ayn Rand Institute, n.d. Accessed May 5, 2009. <http://atlasshrugged.com/book/history.html></ref> In 1943, while she was considering how she could develop this theme, she had a conversation with her friend Isobel Paterson.<ref name="BBranden>Branden" B, ''The Passion of Ayn Rand'', ca. 1985</ref> Paterson suggested that Ayn Rand ought to write a non-fiction expository book on her philosophy, a thing that Rand did not wish to write. Paterson then said that her readers "needed" such a work. Rand became incensed at this mode of expression, and replied:{{cquote|Oh, they do? What if I went on strike? What if all the creative minds of the world went on strike? That would make a good novel.}}

Ayn Rand would later say that she had in mind to write a novel on the theme of the tension between the mind and the heart, and the inherent superiority of reason to emotion.<ref name=history>"History of Atlas Shrugged," The Ayn Rand Institute, n.d. Accessed May 5, 2009. <http://atlasshrugged.com/book/history.html></ref> In 1943, while she was considering how she could develop this theme, she had a conversation with her friend Isobel Paterson.<ref name=BBranden>Branden B, ''The Passion of Ayn Rand'', ca. 1985</ref> Paterson suggested that Ayn Rand ought to write a non-fiction expository book on her philosophy, a thing that Rand did not wish to write. Paterson then said that her readers "needed" such a work. Rand became incensed at this mode of expression, and replied:{{cquote|Oh, they do? What if I went on strike? What if all the creative minds of the world went on strike? That would make a good novel.}}

Rand finished her conversation with Paterson. And then her husband, Frank O'Connor, who had been listening to her side of the conversation, said to her, "You know, it ''would'' make a good novel."<ref name="BBranden/>

Rand finished her conversation with Paterson. And then her husband, Frank O'Connor, who had been listening to her side of the conversation, said to her, "You know, it ''would'' make a good novel."<ref name=BBranden/>

This" was only the beginning, of course, for now Rand turned her full attention to the thing that she would later describe as the novel's primary theme: ''the role of the mind in man's existence.'' She asked herself what would happen to any society if "the creative minds of the world went on [[strike]]," which is to say, withdrew their talents from the world.<ref name="history/>" She then asked herself what would ''drive'' them to call such a strike. This process carried through to the development of all the various [[Literary type#Hero|heroes]], [[Literary type#Villain|villains]], and [[Literary type#Anti-villain|anti-villains]] in the story.

This was only the beginning, of course, for now Rand turned her full attention to the thing that she would later describe as the novel's primary theme: ''the role of the mind in man's existence.'' She asked herself what would happen to any society if "the creative minds of the world went on [[strike]]," which is to say, withdrew their talents from the world.<ref name=history/> She then asked herself what would ''drive'' them to call such a strike. This process carried through to the development of all the various [[Literary type#Hero|heroes]], [[Literary type#Villain|villains]], and [[Literary type#Anti-villain|anti-villains]] in the story.

The Ayn Rand Institute suggests that the two heroes of the novel were [[Dagny Taggart]] and [[John Galt]].<ref name="history/>" This is not actually in accord with literary convention. Dagny Taggart certainly is the novel's heroine, but the other hero is [[Henry Rearden]]. They are heroes precisely because each must make a life-altering re-evaluation and decision in order to serve the causes that motivate them, a thing that John Galt does not do.

The Ayn Rand Institute suggests that the two heroes of the novel were [[Dagny Taggart]] and [[John Galt]].<ref name=history/> This is not actually in accord with literary convention. Dagny Taggart certainly is the novel's heroine, but the other hero is [[Henry Rearden]]. They are heroes precisely because each must make a life-altering re-evaluation and decision in order to serve the causes that motivate them, a thing that John Galt does not do.

John Galt is actually an anti-villain: one who pursues the cause of justice with the same single-mindedness of purpose with which a classical villain might pursue his own greed or an insane desire for vengeance. His major decision to call the great strike is a decision he makes ''before'', not during, the time frame of the novel's action.

John Galt is actually an anti-villain: one who pursues the cause of justice with the same single-mindedness of purpose with which a classical villain might pursue his own greed or an insane desire for vengeance. His major decision to call the great strike is a decision he makes ''before'', not during, the time frame of the novel's action.

==Time setting==

==Time setting==

The novel gives no clue to its setting in time. Current plans for the film adaptation (see below) call for it to be set during the middle of the 1920s.<ref name="imdb>"Entry" for ''Atlas Shrugged''," Internet Movie Database, accessed April 21, 2009. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480239/></ref>

The novel gives no clue to its setting in time. Current plans for the film adaptation (see below) call for it to be set during the middle of the 1920s.<ref name=imdb>"Entry for ''Atlas Shrugged''," Internet Movie Database, accessed April 21, 2009. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480239/></ref>

The novel provides these clues to deciding what were the most likely years during which the action takes place:

The novel provides these clues to deciding what were the most likely years during which the action takes place:

# The novel depicts the first use of [[Diesel]]-electric [[locomotive]]s in [[railroad]]ing. This is the clue that the International Movie Database mentions.<ref name="imdb/>

# The novel depicts the first use of [[Diesel]]-electric [[locomotive]]s in [[railroad]]ing. This is the clue that the International Movie Database mentions.<ref name=imdb/>

#" Railroads are the primary mode of overland transport.

# Railroads are the primary mode of overland transport.

# [[Airline]] service is still a projected service of the novel's future, and [[monoplane]]s are something new.

# [[Airline]] service is still a projected service of the novel's future, and [[monoplane]]s are something new.

# [[Telephone]] service was well-established in this era, but had not achieved universal penetration. In one key scene, a low-level foreman complains to Dagny Taggart that most of the men whom she orders him to contact do not have telephone service where they live.

# [[Telephone]] service was well-established in this era, but had not achieved universal penetration. In one key scene, a low-level foreman complains to Dagny Taggart that most of the men whom she orders him to contact do not have telephone service where they live.

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

: ''Main Article: [[Atlas Shrugged (criticism)]]''

: ''Main Article: [[Atlas Shrugged (criticism)]]''

''Atlas Shrugged'' has never been a critical favorite. Indeed, [[Barbara Branden]], as quoted by Harold Leiendecker,<ref name="Leiendecker>Leiendecker" H, "Atlas Shrugged," ASPEC Writers' Workshop, n.d. Accessed May 5, 2009. <http://www.eckerd.edu/aspec/writers/atlas_shrugged.htm></ref> summed up the criticism thus:{{cquote|The reviews of ''[[We the Living]]'' had been bad. The reviews of ''[[The Fountainhead]]'' has been worse. The reviews of ''Atlas Shrugged'' were savage.}}

''Atlas Shrugged'' has never been a critical favorite. Indeed, [[Barbara Branden]], as quoted by Harold Leiendecker,<ref name=Leiendecker>Leiendecker H, "Atlas Shrugged," ASPEC Writers' Workshop, n.d. Accessed May 5, 2009. <http://www.eckerd.edu/aspec/writers/atlas_shrugged.htm></ref> summed up the criticism thus:{{cquote|The reviews of ''[[We the Living]]'' had been bad. The reviews of ''[[The Fountainhead]]'' has been worse. The reviews of ''Atlas Shrugged'' were savage.}}

Not all the reviews were savage, but most of them were. Even some [[conservative]] reviewers spoke scathingly of it. The most infamous of these reviews came from [[Whittaker Chambers]], who said of the novel in ''[[National Review]]'' that every page screams, "To a gas chamber&mdash;go!"<ref name="chambers>Chambers" W, "Big Sister Is Watching You," ''National Review'', December 28, 1957. Hosted at National Review Online, published January 5, 2005. Accessed May 1, 2009. <http://www.nationalreview.com/flashback/flashback200501050715.asp></ref> [[Nathaniel Branden]] said of it, among other things, that it taught emotional repression as a virtue.<ref name="branden>Branden" N, "The Benefits and Hazards of the Philosophy of Ayn Rand," audio presentation, 1984. Transcript hosted at <http://www.nathanielbranden.com/catalog/articles_essays/benefits_and_hazards.html>.</ref>

Not all the reviews were savage, but most of them were. Even some [[conservative]] reviewers spoke scathingly of it. The most infamous of these reviews came from [[Whittaker Chambers]], who said of the novel in ''[[National Review]]'' that every page screams, "To a gas chamber&mdash;go!"<ref name=chambers>Chambers W, "Big Sister Is Watching You," ''National Review'', December 28, 1957. Hosted at National Review Online, published January 5, 2005. Accessed May 1, 2009. <http://www.nationalreview.com/flashback/flashback200501050715.asp></ref> [[Nathaniel Branden]] said of it, among other things, that it taught emotional repression as a virtue.<ref name=branden>Branden N, "The Benefits and Hazards of the Philosophy of Ayn Rand," audio presentation, 1984. Transcript hosted at <http://www.nathanielbranden.com/catalog/articles_essays/benefits_and_hazards.html>.</ref>

Leiendecker, however, reminds us that many of the nefarious laws and "directives" that the novel mentions have in fact come to pass. His chief criticism was that the dialog (and in [[John Galt]]'s memorable case, monolog) of the heroes and anti-villains of the work often sounds "stilted," while the words of the villains ring true to their respective real-life anti-types.<ref name="Leiendecker/>

Leiendecker, however, reminds us that many of the nefarious laws and "directives" that the novel mentions have in fact come to pass. His chief criticism was that the dialog (and in [[John Galt]]'s memorable case, monolog) of the heroes and anti-villains of the work often sounds "stilted," while the words of the villains ring true to their respective real-life anti-types.<ref name=Leiendecker/>

As" might be expected, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and its various organs found fault with the explicit [[atheism]] of the novel, and especially John Galt's specific rejection of the notion of original sin, and Francisco d'Anconia's statement that a rational man does not "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," because "he permits no Caesars."<ref name="history/>

As might be expected, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and its various organs found fault with the explicit [[atheism]] of the novel, and especially John Galt's specific rejection of the notion of original sin, and Francisco d'Anconia's statement that a rational man does not "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," because "he permits no Caesars."<ref name=history/>

==Film" Adaptation==

==Film Adaptation==

Almost since the initial publication of the novel, the most avid followers of Ayn Rand, who called themselves "students of Objectivism," have wished to see the novel adapted as a [[motion picture]]. To date only one of Ayn Rand's novels has been adapted for film: ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand herself wrote the screenplay for that film, in which [[Gary Cooper]] portrayed the leading protagonist, Howard Roark.

Almost since the initial publication of the novel, the most avid followers of Ayn Rand, who called themselves "students of Objectivism," have wished to see the novel adapted as a [[motion picture]]. To date only one of Ayn Rand's novels has been adapted for film: ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand herself wrote the screenplay for that film, in which [[Gary Cooper]] portrayed the leading protagonist, Howard Roark.

The major difficulties with adapting ''Atlas Shrugged'' to film were twofold. One, the story was simply too long for any one film to do it justice. Two, [[Hollywood values]] were already beginning to diverge from American values, and the prospect of a film that would be remotely faithful, either to the novel or to Ayn Rand's original motivation for writing it, always seemed rather remote.

The major difficulties with adapting ''Atlas Shrugged'' to film were twofold. One, the story was simply too long for any one film to do it justice. Two, [[Hollywood values]] were already beginning to diverge from American values, and the prospect of a film that would be remotely faithful, either to the novel or to Ayn Rand's original motivation for writing it, always seemed rather remote.

Yet different producers have attempted a film adaptation for a long time. At one point, according to the trade paper ''Variety'', Alfred S. Ruddy attempted for several years to do his own adaptation. Among the names of actors and actresses that were mentioned in connection with Ruddy's efforts were those of [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Robert Redford]], and [[Faye Dunaway]].<ref name="imdb/>

Yet different producers have attempted a film adaptation for a long time. At one point, according to the trade paper ''Variety'', Alfred S. Ruddy attempted for several years to do his own adaptation. Among the names of actors and actresses that were mentioned in connection with Ruddy's efforts were those of [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Robert Redford]], and [[Faye Dunaway]].<ref name=imdb/>

Now" an independent film company, Baldwin Entertainment, is now trying to produce an adaptation, currently rumored to release in 2011.<ref name="imdb/>" Writer Randall Wallace has been hired to write the script. For years, persistent rumor had it that [[Angelina Jolie]] would appear as Dagny Taggart, but today multiple actresses' names are in circulation, including [[Charlize Theron]], [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Anne Hathaway]]&mdash;though some fans of the novel insist that [[Cate Blanchett]] would be the best actress to interpret that role. Karen Baldwin, the head of Baldwin Entertainment, is quoted as saying that the novel is more timely than ever, though she would not elaborate on the reasons for that assessment. Current budget estimates run as high as $50 million US.<ref name="brevet>Brevet," Brad,  "Will Ayn Rand’s ‘Atlas Shrugged’ Finally See the Big Screen? And Who Will Star?", RopeofSilicon.com, 1 April 2009. Accessed 21 April 2009. <http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/will-ayn-rands-atlas-shrugged-finally-see-the-big-screen-and-who-will-star></ref><ref name="risky>Zeitchik," Steven. "With 'Atlas Shrugged,' Hollywood may have its first anti-bailout movie." ''The Hollywood Reporter'', April 1, 2009. Accessed April 26, 2009. <http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/03/with-atlas-shrugged-hollywood-may-have-its-first-antibailout-movie.html></ref>

Now an independent film company, Baldwin Entertainment, is now trying to produce an adaptation, currently rumored to release in 2011.<ref name=imdb/> Writer Randall Wallace has been hired to write the script. For years, persistent rumor had it that [[Angelina Jolie]] would appear as Dagny Taggart, but today multiple actresses' names are in circulation, including [[Charlize Theron]], [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Anne Hathaway]]&mdash;though some fans of the novel insist that [[Cate Blanchett]] would be the best actress to interpret that role. Karen Baldwin, the head of Baldwin Entertainment, is quoted as saying that the novel is more timely than ever, though she would not elaborate on the reasons for that assessment. Current budget estimates run as high as $50 million US.<ref name=brevet>Brevet, Brad,  "Will Ayn Rand’s ‘Atlas Shrugged’ Finally See the Big Screen? And Who Will Star?", RopeofSilicon.com, 1 April 2009. Accessed 21 April 2009. <http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/will-ayn-rands-atlas-shrugged-finally-see-the-big-screen-and-who-will-star></ref><ref name=risky>Zeitchik, Steven. "With 'Atlas Shrugged,' Hollywood may have its first anti-bailout movie." ''The Hollywood Reporter'', April 1, 2009. Accessed April 26, 2009. <http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/03/with-atlas-shrugged-hollywood-may-have-its-first-antibailout-movie.html></ref>

As might be expected, several minor characters in the novel will not appear. They include Robert Stadler, the nominal head of the State Science Institute, and Cheryl Taggart, an impressionable young woman who marries James Taggart and then commits suicide on the strength of her realization of what sort of man she married.<ref name="imdb/>

As might be expected, several minor characters in the novel will not appear. They include Robert Stadler, the nominal head of the State Science Institute, and Cheryl Taggart, an impressionable young woman who marries James Taggart and then commits suicide on the strength of her realization of what sort of man she married.<ref name=imdb/>

==Recent" popular mention==

==Recent popular mention==

[[File:AtlasshrugsatMorristown.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Protest sign at [[TEA Party]], Morristown, [[New Jersey]], April 15, 2009]]

[[File:AtlasshrugsatMorristown.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Protest sign at [[TEA Party]], Morristown, [[New Jersey]], April 15, 2009]]

In the context of the massive taxation and spending policies proposed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] and the [[United States Congress]], ''Atlas Shrugged'' has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Activists have mentioned the name of the novel, and of its primary [[Literary type#anti-villain|anti-villain]], in commentaries and on placards. Many [[liberal]] commentators in fact have asked scathingly whether certain persons allegedly threatening to "go Galt" mean what they say, and from the tone of their remarks, they seem quite prepared to bid such people "good riddance."

In the context of the massive taxation and spending policies proposed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] and the [[United States Congress]], ''Atlas Shrugged'' has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Activists have mentioned the name of the novel, and of its primary [[Literary type#anti-villain|anti-villain]], in commentaries and on placards. Many [[liberal]] commentators in fact have asked scathingly whether certain persons allegedly threatening to "go Galt" mean what they say, and from the tone of their remarks, they seem quite prepared to bid such people "good riddance."