A History of the Enron Scandal
In reacting to the Enron scandal, many cultural commentators have been quick to recur to a favorite theme: the corrupting power of commerce. Here is a typical example, from the "Letters Column" of the New York Times: "Enron's collapse was a product of the culture of greed, dishonesty, ethical blindness, and wishful thinking that has characterized much of corporate America since the advent of the Reagan administration" (John S. Koppel, January 22, 2002). In this view, Enron is simply the…...
Atlas Shrugged
A Literary Analysis of Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged: Flat Characters and Flawed Philosophy At a suspenseful point in the novel, Errol Flynn-Esque's character comes crashing through a window to save the day. Rand was a screenwriter before (and even after) launching into a successful career as an author, but I wonder if her screenplays had the same Hollywood dramatics as a few moments in "Atlas Shrugged". I had to raise an eyebrow at the actions of this misplaced pirate in her novel, along with a few…...
Atlas Shrugged
An Analysis of Individuality Which is Banned By Law
Anthem - What if Individuality ere Banned by Law? Equality 7-2521 is a street sweeper in a dystopic future where: We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives? We exist through, by, and for our brothers who are the State. Amen. But Equality 7-2521 has a problem; he doesn't believe in the things that his brothers do. He has questions, which can not even be asked, that he wants to be…...
Atlas Shrugged
An Analysis of the Topic of the Reactionary Narcissism and the Freedom Ideas
Anthem - Reactionary Narcissism Camouflaged by Freedom Ideas Ayn Rand migrated from the Communist U.S.S.R. with a righteous anger. Not only was she as an individual demeaned by lack of personal identity -- as far as worth and contribution to society, but her gender incurred unjust persecution as well. It seems a trend that Americans enjoy literature that reveals the phirighteous angerlosophical or political depravity of our own or other countries, and appropriately so. Art, whether visual or written, has…...
Atlas Shrugged
An Introduction to the Importance of Self Interest
Despite years of traditional religious education, I find myself learning the delicate art of self-interest. The empowering knowledge that I am indeed the captain of my ship leaves me with feelings of control and peace and undoubtedly a measure of guilt. While I do most certainly believe in a higher power, I cannot subscribe to any preconceived religion. The Sophists, a group of itinerant teachers in ancient Greece, profess that truth is always relative (Tarnas 26) and that seems to…...
Atlas Shrugged
Howard Roark, in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead
That is probably the most selfish statement that you have ever heard in your life. Selfishness in our society is view as a bad thing. What if someone could perfectly articulate that selfishness, in it's purest form, could be the best way to live your life? Ayn Rand's "rational selfishness" is best shown by her two heroes, Howard Roark and John Galt, in the novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged respectively. Her philosophy has been read by, and influenced millions…...
Atlas ShruggedAyn RandThe Fountainhead
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