Chicago Objectivist Society - ASRG Session Nineteen

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 8

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Part 3: Chapter 8: The Egoist

Section 1: 1070

What is the initial reaction of the looters to the broadcast -- before Dagny speaks? (1070-2) What does she say to them? (1072-4) How do they react? What does she learn about them? (1073-6)

Section 2: 1076

Why does Eddie say that he wouldn't turn John Galt over to the looters to save the railroad? What does that say about his loyalties? (1078)
Why doesn't Dagny go on strike after hearing Galt's speech? What does she hope to gain by remaining in the world? What does Eddie understand that she does not? (1078)

Section 3: 1078

How does the government respond to Galt's radio speech? What do ordinary people think and do? What does that show? (1078-84)
What does Mr. Thompson say he wants in his meeting with Dagny? What are his true motives? How does he manipulate her? (1084-6)

Section 4: 1086

Why does Dagny decide to seek out John Galt? What risk is she taking? Why is she willing to take it? (1086-9)
Why must Dagny take the looters' side when Galt is captured by them? (1090-2) Why would Galt kill himself if the looters tortured Dagny? (1091)
How does Galt's apartment -- the laboratory versus the garrett -- represent the either-or choice confronting the world? (1092-3)

Section 5: 1097

What does Mr. Thompson offer Galt? Why does Galt reject all of these offers? What kind of deal would Galt be open to? (1098-1104)
Why doesn't Galt take power and then attempt to outsmart the looters? What would the results of that be? (1104)

Section 6: 1105

Why don't any of the looters want to talk to John Galt? How do their different reasons reveal their characters? (1106-8) Why does Dagny refuse to speak to Galt? (1108-9)
What does Dagny think of the looters now? What does she think about the world? What does she think about her work? Why doesn't she go on strike yet? (1108-11)
What choice does Dagny face when Mr. Thompson asks her whether Galt will ever surrender? What is the significance of that choice? (1110)
What is Jim Taggart's response to John Galt? How is it distinctive? (1111-3)
Why does Eddie volunteer to go to San Francisco? What does he think Dagny will do in the meantime? What does Dagny offer him? Why does he refuse? Why can't he start over? (1116)
What happens to Dr. Stadler as he prepares to meet and then speaks to Galt? Why is the event so traumatic for him? What is the significance of what he says, including the change as speaks? (1116-9)

Section 7: 1119

Why are the looters willing to risk a public appearance by John Galt? (1119-25)
What does Dagny experience at the banquet unveiling the John Galt Plan? What does she come to understand about the looters -- and why? What has she decided? (1121-1124)

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