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Nathaniel Taggart
Rearden’s Metal Bracelet
The bracelet Hank Rearden gives to his wife, Lillian, made from the first batch of his revolutionary metal, becomes an early symbol of Atlas Shrugged’s moral conflict. It is not just a token…
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The John Galt Line
The John Galt Line is more than a rail line—it is a statement of rebellion. Named after a man the world invokes in defeat, the line flips the phrase “Who is John Galt?” into a…
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The Experimental Motor
Discovered in a ruined factory, the experimental motor symbolizes the world’s lost potential—an innovation capable of solving the energy crisis, abandoned by a system that no longer respects the mind. It becomes a central mystery…
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Atlas’s Shrug
The recurring motif of Atlas’s shrug symbolizes the withdrawal of society’s creators—the individuals who bear the weight of the world through their intellect, labor, and innovation. The title metaphor is introduced by Francisco’s question…
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The Dollar Sign
Throughout Atlas Shrugged, the dollar sign reappears as a consistent emblem of earned value. Often dismissed in the real world as a symbol of greed, it is reclaimed in the novel as the mark…
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