Atlas Shrugged

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1957

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Access Full Guide

Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Part 1, Chapters 6-10

Part 2, Chapters 1-5

Part 2, Chapters 6-10

Part 3, Chapters 1-5

Part 3, Chapters 6-10

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Throughout Atlas Shrugged, Rand frequently describes the quality of light. What is the impact of Rand’s use of light in Atlas Shrugged?

Dagny Taggart is one of comparatively few female characters in the novel. Why do the men outnumber women in Atlas Shrugged generally and in the utopian society of Galt’s Gulch in particular? How does the presentation of gender impact Rand’s portrayal of the novel’s message?

Rand explores the theme of Radical Individualism and Idolization of the Lone Genius Archetype. How does her portrayal of this theme relate to real-world, contemporary examples of the figure of the lone genius and the traits and stories generally attributed to them?