Atlas Shrugged Reading Group
Session Fourteen
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.
Readings
Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 3
- Part 3, Chapter 3: The Anti-Greed
Or:
- Pages 816-863 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
- Pages 758-802 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback
Learn More
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
- Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
- Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Chicago Objectivist Society
- AtlasShrugged.com, produced by the Ayn Rand Institute
Discussion Questions
(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)
Part 3, Chapter 3: The Anti-Greed
Section 1 (816-831)
- How does Dr. Ferris manage and manipulate Dr. Stadler at the unveiling of Project X? How -- and why -- does Ferris treat Stadler as he does? (816-31)
- What choices does Dr. Stadler face during the unveiling of Project X? Why does he choose as he does? What is his final choice? (816-31)
- What is so evil about Dr. Stadler's endorsement of Project X? How will his endorsement affect other people? How will it affect him? (816-31)
Section 2 (831-850)
- What is so striking to Dagny about the world on her return to it? How does the contrast with the valley make her see the world in a new light? (831-3)
- What does Dagny tell Eddie about her absence? What is Eddie's state of mind now? (836-8)
- What is the Railroad Unification Plan? How does it function? What are its effects? What does it show Dagny about the looters? (840-3)
- What is Jim Taggart's response to Dagny's return? What is his view of and approach to the problems of Taggart Transcontinental? (839-46)
- How does Lillian attempt to blackmail Dagny into appearing on Bertram Scudder's radio program? What does Lillian reveal about her views and motives in the process? (847-50)
Section 3 (850-863)
- What does Dagny say on Bertram Scudder's radio program? How does it undermine the government and its supporters? (851-4)
- Why is Dagny conflicted about what she says on the radio? Why is she not concerned about her reputation as a woman? What is her consolation? (851-4)
- What does Hank Rearden say to Dagny on her return to the apartment? What is its meaning and importance? What has Rearden learned since the night that their affair began? (856-61)
- What is Hank Rearden's attitude toward Dagny's final choice of John Galt? Is he right to be so calm and happy? (860-1)
Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?