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Symbols
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 of affection—it is a tangible representation of achievement, pride, and individual labor. When Lillian dismisses the bracelet as ugly and compares it to a shackle, she exposes her contempt for anything earned through personal effort. To her, social appearance is more valuable than substance.
When Dagny trades her diamond necklace for the metal bracelet, she redeems the bracelet’s meaning, recasting it as a badge of honor and a declaration of allegiance to earned success. Additionally, Hank’s refusal to defend the bracelet at first—and his later acceptance of Dagny’s understanding of it—marks a shift in his own moral awakening. The bracelet silently confronts the false ethics of guilt and sacrifice, asking who has the right to pride and ownership. In a world that demands self-effacement and sacrifice, the bracelet in Dagny’s possession becomes a declaration of self-worth.
Rearden’s Metal Bracelet Quotes in Atlas Shrugged
The Atlas Shrugged quotes below all refer to the symbol of Rearden’s Metal Bracelet. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1, Chapter 2
Quotes
“The intention’s plain selfishness, if you ask me,” said Rearden’s mother.
“Another man would bring a diamond bracelet, if he wanted to give his wife a present, because it’s her pleasure he’d think of, not his own. But Henry thinks that just because he’s made a new kind of tin, why, it’s got to be more precious than diamonds to everybody, just because it’s he that’s made it. That’s the way he’s been since he was five years old—the most conceited brat you ever saw—and I knew he’d grow up to be the most selfish creature on God’s earth.”
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Rearden’s Metal Bracelet Symbol Timeline in Atlas Shrugged
The timeline below shows where the symbol Rearden’s Metal Bracelet appears in Atlas Shrugged. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 2
Afterward, Hank walks home on foot, holding a bracelet in his pocket made from the first batch of his new metal. He plans to...
(full context)
...anniversary. Hank had forgotten. He agrees to attend, feeling guilty. He then gives her the bracelet he made from the first batch of Rearden Metal, telling her it marks something meaningful....
(full context)
Part 1, Chapter 6
...beautiful and confident. On one wrist, she wears diamonds. On the other, she wears the bracelet he made from the first batch of Rearden Metal. The contrast between the two pieces...
(full context)
As Dagny reenters the main room, she hears Lillian laughing and holding up the bracelet Hank made for her. Lillian calls it a chain and mocks it in front of...
(full context)
Part 2, Chapter 2
...short, formal statements. The conversation grows sharper when Lillian questions why Dagny wears the metal bracelet that Lillian once discarded. Dagny does not offer a strong explanation, and when Lillian demands...
(full context)
