Atlas Shrugged: An American apocalyptic tale
Ayn Rand’s classic libertarian manifesto Atlas Shrugged glorifies the omnipotence of the human mind. But, ironically, this secular humanist bible uses Christian apocalyptic archetypes. The main plot mirrors the second coming of Christ as some Christians understand the book of Revelation. Although the interpretation of Revelation is highly debatable in the Christian community, one reading understands the book as a literal prophesy of future historical events, including the rapture of the Church, a tribulation period that destroys the earth, and the ushering in of a new, perfect age. Viewed through this lens, Atlas Shrugged’s metaphoric oxymoron takes on a uniquely American flavor.
Atlas Shrugged’s wide renown eliminates the need for a lengthy plot description, but here is a brief refresher. Dagny Taggart, the heroine, strives to run an efficient and successful railroad despite ever-encroaching government intervention to help less-efficient-yet-politically-powerful competitors. As the most gifted businessmen of the country grow frustrated at the loss of the free market to the whims of rent seekers (”looters”), they quit producing and mysteriously disappear–to join a secret community of the best and brightest led by the hero, John Galt, who plans to initiate a new Renaissance after the present regime collapses. Dagny, painfully aware that the closing of productive enterprises impoverishes the country, struggles with whether she should employ her mind—which helps the evil looters maintain their regime–or quit and abandon the country to its fate. Ultimately, she joins the Galt community (after having passionate affairs with all the heroic male characters), and the world crumbles.
Thus, John Galt functions as a Christ figure. Like Christ, he disappears from the world, slowly gathering the believers together for the proverbial second coming. Premillenialist Christians believe that Jesus raptures the believers (I Thessalonians 4:17), spiriting them away into heaven to save them from the tribulation, during which the world is slowly destroyed by various plagues and pestilence. Similarly, Galt visits the brains of the world and invites them to live in his community rather than enduring the inexorable destruction of the capitalist system through all-consuming government regulation. And, just as Christ promises the Christians that after the earthly regime has passed away, they will return to create a New Heaven and a New Earth (Rev. 21:1-4), John Galt promises his followers that after the government and regulation-tainted economic system collapses, they will establish a free-market paradise.
Dagny, then, represents the convert. Revelation speaks of the sealing of the 144,000 (7:1-8), those whom God selected to live through and survive the great tribulation; indeed, to witness to others. The Galtians identified Dagny as one of their own early on, but, unlike the raptured businessmen, she remains in the earthly regime, toiling to keep the railroad running until almost the bitter end of the existing world order’s apocalyptic demise. Like those who choose Christ during the tribulation, Dagny’s ultimate conversion to Galtianity allows her to participate in the new world order the Galtians will establish.
But, unlike the biblical Revelation in which natural disasters such as earthquakes, falling stars, hail, and the ensanguining of the moon portend the end of the world (Rev. 6:12-14; 8:5-7), in Rand’s creation, man destroys himself. Socialistic business practices like paying wages according to need, agreeing to limit production, and rationing resources yield similar results as the apocalyptic plagues: famine (Rev. 6:5-6) and death (Rev. 6:8-9) abound, and others wish to die (Rev. 9:6).
Indeed, the government emerges as the beast or anti-Christ (Rev. 13:1). The beast rules the earth (Rev. 13:1-18), seeming to do good, but in fact, is evil and ultimately receives God’s judgment. Similarly, Rand’s government enacts anti-competitive policies under the guise of the public welfare, but these measures instead wreak havoc on the public. Like in the beast’s regime, no one could participate in market activities except by government permission (Rev. 13:16-17). And, in both cases, men were afraid to object because the ruler seemed all-powerful (Rev. 13:4-7).
What accounts for the presence of such imagery in the masterpiece of an atheist author? During Rand’s lifetime, the fundamentalist Protestant movement swept America. A religious revival began before the Second World War and reached its peak in the 1950s. According to Robert Handy in A Christian America, membership in churches and synagogues included almost seventy percent of the population by 1960. Handy notes that an important part of that revival was the growth of conservative evangelical Protestantism–the branch of Christianity that encompasses the premillenialist view of Revelation.
Quite possibly, Protestant Christian theology (and eschatology) had so pervaded American social thought that Rand used biblical patterns unconsciously. Protestant adherents, ironically, would excoriate Rand’s humanism–indeed, they might portray Galt as an anti-Christ figure. Yet, the premillenialist parallels in Atlas Shrugged reveal that Rand is a product of a unique culture that simultaneously fervently accepts religious precepts and tolerates dissent from them. Where else but in America?
Susanna Dokupil is an attorney and writer living in Houston, Texas.
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8 Comments - add your own
Colleen Tigges — February 9, 2004 at 12:19 pm
Great article. As a staunch objectivist I haven’t much use for religion, organized or otherwise. As an American, however, I admire the use of the “Christ story” that makes so many novels and movies popular (and accessible?). I have a niece and nephew whose books, television and music are censored by fundamentalist parents. Fortunately for them, the “Christ imagery” in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy has allowed my brother to deem it “appropriate” for them to read — same goes for viewing the Star Wars trilogy of movies. Still no “Harry Potter” (something silly about Harry and demonic magic), but now perhaps “Atlas Shrugged”? I think their birthdays are coming up…
RCR — February 9, 2004 at 3:16 pm
Isn’t it a bit, um, condradictory, to lay a “Christ story” at the feet of Ayn Rand, when everything she stood for was quite the opposite of Christ’s teachings?
For instance, Christ taught the ultimate value of self-sacrifice in the name of others. Rand taught the ultimate value of self-interest despite the wants of others.
Also, Christ taught his followers to “believe”, while Rand taught her admires to “think”.
Even with this said, I certainly see the value of what Collen Tigges says. Perhaps wrapping Atlas Shrugged in shroud of Biblical analysis, is a little like giving medicine to our pet friends wrapped in a slice of American cheese.
RCR
Kelsey — February 10, 2004 at 11:03 am
Objectivist thought and individualism are not necessarily contradictory to Christianity.
The principles of private property are Biblically supported as well. One of God’s first commands was to be fruitful and have dominion over the Earth. God wants his people to produce, which is also Ayn’s highest goal. Additionally, commandments that mention thy neighbor’s property imply directly that ownership is protected by Biblical precepts.
Atlas Shrugged promotes human attributes that Jesus would too. We are not to be a parasitic people. We are to possess a strong work ethic and to fully use all of the talents with which God has blessed us. Furthermore, we are not to be ashamed of our talents.
For all these reasons and more, applying revelations to Atlas Shrugged is not wholly contradictory.
Kelsey Pollock
Christopher Wetmore — February 12, 2004 at 11:42 am
I think that the parallels between ATLAS SHRUGGED and REVEALTIONS are due less to a subconscious influence by religon on Rand, than the dictates of human psychology (and the need for a good story): When faced with evil,one can either join,resist,or withdraw (either partially or fully). Ms. Rand did a damn good job of dramatizing this; it’s probably been 25 years since I’ve read ATLAS, and it still sticks with me. As a real world example of these stratagies, consider the Cuban “Revolution”: Some joined Castro, some “withdrew” (the Miami exile community),some stayed and resisted. And a lot of folks went on a partial “strike” (and as I remember, THE STRIKE was Rand’s working title for ATLAS SHRUGGED), and didn’t participate anymore than they had to…much as most of America was in ATLAS…and a Christian would say as he does, as we approach the “endtime”. But…ATLAS was a work of fiction. I won’t insult anyone’s beliefs by trashing the Bible that way..but reality doesn’t “The End” on the last page. The struggle against evil is eternal.
David Kelley — February 12, 2004 at 3:24 pm
Susanna Dokupil outlines a more detailed parallel than I would have thought possible between the plots of Atlas Shrugged and the Book of Revelations. Nevertheless, the moral and philosophical themes are diametrically opposed: reason vs. faith, naturalism vs. the supernatural, evil as impotent vs. evil as powerful, living for oneself vs. living for God (and one’s neighbor)–the list goes on. And those differences do affect the story. Indeed, it is precisely Galt’s refusal to sacrifice for mankind that drives the entire plot.
For another comparison and contrast between Rand’s novel and the Christ story, The Objectivist Center has a lecture called “Odysseus, Jesus, and Dagny”: http://www.objectivismstore.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=126.
Sean G Penny — February 13, 2004 at 1:26 am
While I highly enjoyed this article, I must dispute the author’s characterization of Atlas Shrugged as a “secular humanist bible.” While socially Rand’s philosophy may be placed under the Humanist umbrella, economically it cannot. Economically speaking the Humanist philosophy is one promoting world altruism, the sharing of wealth and therefore a high degree of socialism. Rand’s philosophy completely rejects all of these things, instead suggesting their opposites, rational-selfishness and laisse-faire capitalism.
Dave — February 19, 2004 at 9:17 pm
I am certainly averse to connecting anything Objectivist to Ayn Rand as many others who commented here are although I do find it to be an interesting thought to contemplate. I think that its more likely that Ayn’s story and some of the stylistic elements are the result of the architecture of the human brain. Joseph Campbell would say that her story follows the Hero Myth he put forth in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”.
Make no mistake. Galt’s character did nothing for the love of people or his “fellow” man. He did what he did for reasons of pure rational selfishness in the strictist objectivist sense. He was willing to risk everything, inlcuding his own life for the sake of his freedom and life and because of his selfish love of those who lived the values he most treasured in himself.
Christ no. Rational hero…yes.
Chris Winchell — October 24, 2004 at 10:55 pm
Guess what, A is A. The character John Galt is no more Christ than our founding fathers who swore their lives, fortunes, and sacred honnors were. Anyone trying to say otherwise is just serving you more relative BS!!!!