English 104 Research Paper Food for Thought: Governmental Systems: Atlas Shrugged is a depiction of a government-controlled society, a type of government, which is prevalent on the European Continent and which appears to be breaking down (i.e.: devaluing of the Euro, entitlement driven riots in Greece and government required bail out, France regretting their influx of Muslims and discussing the banning of the burka, etc). Communist China makes decisions that abhor free thinkers and liberated people in order to control their population. Not until recently did China even warrant attention from the Western Countries because of their communist policies; The 2008 Olympics hosted in Beijing was a nod of acceptance to China. The Middle East, predominately followers of Islam, continually violates human rights statutes with their mistreatment of women. Females are stoned to death for committing adultery, have acid poured on them when they attempt to attend school, must walk behind their husbands/men while in public, cannot be seen in public without being accompanied by a male relative and must be covered at all times with the Burka. The Nation of Islam is also a follower of Sharia law, which references the subservient treatment of women. The United States, a capitalist, freedom-loving nation for almost 235 years is disliked by much of the world. We are a young country by definition and have already seen more prosperity than most of the rest of the world that has existed for thousands of years. The U.S. is maligned by groups such as NATO, who gives respect to dictators like Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Iran), and the Taliban, who harbor mass murderers such as deceased terrorist Osama Bin Ladin and his band of extremist Muslims. Yet the United States is liberal-minded and accepting of all cultures and religions to the detriment of their world-wide reputation. There appears to be a unity across the world when it comes to perspective on America. Leaving room for some exceptions (i.e.: Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Israel and small parts of Europe) the world holds a negative opinion of America and thus Americans themselves. How do you define a hatred for a people who have liberties and freedoms most of the world is denied, who are charitable and hospitable to all nations, even being the most giving country in the world? Where does the hatred come from for a people who send missionaries from a variety of religious sects into third world countries to help feed, cloth and educate the population and then set up shelters for the young girls and women who have been sold into sex slavery in order to feed their families? Simply, as Americans, we have a lot to be proud of, but we also face animosity from many parts of the civilized world. Some may call the animus jealousy; others may refer to it as anger for a population that allows for a diversity of opinions and that has advanced technologically and socially far beyond many ot ...

1. English 104
Research Paper
Food for Thought:
Governmental Systems:
Atlas Shrugged is a depiction of a government-controlled
society, a type of government, which is prevalent on the
European Continent and which appears to be breaking down
(i.e.: devaluing of the Euro, entitlement driven riots in Greece
and government required bail out, France regretting their influx
of Muslims and discussing the banning of the burka, etc).
Communist China makes decisions that abhor free thinkers and
liberated people in order to control their population. Not until
recently did China even warrant attention from the Western
Countries because of their communist policies; The 2008
Olympics hosted in Beijing was a nod of acceptance to China.
The Middle East, predominately followers of Islam, continually
violates human rights statutes with their mistreatment of
women. Females are stoned to death for committing adultery,
have acid poured on them when they attempt to attend school,
must walk behind their husbands/men while in public, cannot be
seen in public without being accompanied by a male relative
and must be covered at all times with the Burka. The Nation of
Islam is also a follower of Sharia law, which references the
subservient treatment of women.
The United States, a capitalist, freedom-loving nation for
almost 235 years is disliked by much of the world. We are a
young country by definition and have already seen more
prosperity than most of the rest of the world that has existed for

2. thousands of years. The U.S. is maligned by groups such as
NATO, who gives respect to dictators like Hugo Chavez
(Venezuela) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Iran), and the Taliban,
who harbor mass murderers such as deceased terrorist Osama
Bin Ladin and his band of extremist Muslims. Yet the United
States is liberal-minded and accepting of all cultures and
religions to the detriment of their world-wide reputation.
There appears to be a unity across the world when it comes to
perspective on America. Leaving room for some exceptions
(i.e.: Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Israel and small parts of
Europe) the world holds a negative opinion of America and thus
Americans themselves.
How do you define a hatred for a people who have liberties and
freedoms most of the world is denied, who are charitable and
hospitable to all nations, even being the most giving country in
the world? Where does the hatred come from for a people who
send missionaries from a variety of religious sects into third
world countries to help feed, cloth and educate the population
and then set up shelters for the young girls and women who
have been sold into sex slavery in order to feed their families?
Simply, as Americans, we have a lot to be proud of, but we also
face animosity from many parts of the civilized world. Some
may call the animus jealousy; others may refer to it as anger for
a population that allows for a diversity of opinions and that has
advanced technologically and socially far beyond many other
countries.
The novel Atlas Shrugged deals with real world issues that, as
has been discussed, are relevant in 2016, just as they were in
Communist Russia at the time of Ayn Rand’s defection in the
early part of the 20th century.
Atlas Shrugged depicts a country (The United States) with a

3. political ruling class of cowards who prosper on the backs of
society’s great minds, who decide to disappear from existence
in order to show that without them, the world would collapse. In
fact Rand succeeds in showing that without the innovators and
thinkers, the world is one vast black hole of ignorance and
ineptitude. The novel demonstrates that power is
inconsequential if one does not have the wisdom, talent and
intellect to use it wisely.
As the novel continues, we see citizens becoming zombies, mere
shells of their former selves with a sense of hopelessness for the
future. The breakdown of society is directly related to the
disappearance of the mind. Once we cease to think and create,
we are dead. Why continue to invent and excel if one’s
invention is taken away and given to society as their property or
if one is required to share what he/she earned so that social and
economic equality can exist?
The Assignment:
1. For a 8-10 page research paper consider one of the
following events or series of events that takes place within
Atlas Shrugged and develop a connection to the greater meaning
it represents in the novel and to the current society.
· The development, unveiling and eventual destruction of
Project X
· The meetings of Dr. Robert Stadtler with Dr. Floyd Ferris
· The entitlement discussion between Orrin Boyle, Fred Kinnen,
Floyd Ferris, James Taggart, Wesley Mouch, etc. (pages 544-
549)
· Kip Chalmers insistence on obtaining a train to take him
through the “tunnel of death” in spite of the horrific danger, and
the ensuing moral dilemma for Dave Mitchum (pages 584-607).
· The Union control of industry (worker wages, job
descriptions, promotion entitlement, job entitlement, etc)

4. through their connection to the government.
· The mindsets of Lillian Reardon, Phillip Reardon, and Mrs.
Reardon in regards to the success and lifestyle of Hank
Reardon, culminating in the final confrontations on pages 967-
976).
· The establishment of the Equalization of Opportunity Bill, The
Anti Dog-Eat-Dog Rule, Directive Number 10-289, The
Railroad Unification Plan, Directive 11-493, The Steel
Unification Plan, etc.
· The development of governmental bureaucracies such as The
Friends of Global Progress, National Alliance of Railroads,
Bureau of Economic Planning and National Resources, The
Wyatt Reclamation Project, The Morale Conditioner, The
Interneighborly Amity and Development Corporation, etc.
· The interaction between Hank Reardon and Dr. Potter
requesting Reardon stop producing his metal (pages 178-182)
· The rise and ultimate destruction of the Twentieth Century
Motor Company (pages 661-672).
· The mantra throughout the novel of “It’s Not My Fault!”,
“They Can’t Blame Me”, and “I’m Entitled to What I Haven’t or
Couldn’t Ever Earn!” Uttered primarily by James Taggert, Orrin
Boyle, Wesley Mouch, etc.
· John Galt’s Radio Address (pages 1009-1069), and the ensuing
propaganda in regards to his intentions for the country.
· Project F and the activities taking place within the building
where the Project is located.
2. Once you have established the connection between one of
the above issues and the novel in its entirety, develop a stronger
connection to our greater society.
3. Locate between 8 and 10 sources that you can use to prove
your perspective in regards to our world’s connection to events
depicted in the book. Use valid news sources, magazines,
journals and web sites to support your position (Editorials are
NOT valid). Of the resources, websites that are focused on Ayn

5. Rand or her philosophy are not valid for the purposes of this
paper. You are responsible for connecting the book to society
today, not an opinion piece from an online source. Further, of
the resources selected, only two can be from websites (the VVC
database is NOT considered a website)
The selected sources will all be cited properly within the paper,
as well as on a Works Cited page, in CORRECT MLA 8 format.
4. Develop a thesis statement that provides an insight into the
connection between the real world and novel. The thesis should
include a conclusion that can be drawn in regards to the bigger
picture that is only alluded to.
5. Discuss the chosen event in regards to its importance to
Rand’s novel and then as a reflection of society today. Be sure
to address the ultimate impact of the event(s) on society as a
whole. You may wish to trace the event(s) from inception to
current form, showing the destructive path or relevant outcome,
as you see it.
Research Paper is due no later than December 13, 2016
Note:
Since the paper is due at the end of the semester, students will
be unable to revise and resubmit it.