WHEN:
TUESDAY, September 7, 2010 7:00 PM

TOPIC:
Explore Atlas Shrugged  Session 8
Podcasts and  discussion questions on Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged
We will discuss the questions.

READINGS:
Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 3 (Part B) - Part 2, Chapter 4
Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (Part B)
Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of Victim
Or:
Pages 438-495 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 412-465 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

AUTHOR:
http://www.exploreaynrand.com/1957/
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for
ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas
Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in
more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas
Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.

Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail
Section 4 (438-440)
- What kind of stress makes a person “vulnerable” to the destroyer? (439)

Section 5 (440-447)
- How is Ken Danagger changed when Dagny meets him?  Does she have any chance
of reversing his decision?  Why not? (443-7)

Section 6 (447-460)
- How does Hank Rearden respond to Ken Danagger’s quitting?  Why can’t he
blame or follow Danagger? (448-9)
- What is the basic point of Francisco’s interrogation of and then speech to
Rearden? What does Rearden learn from that? (451-6)
- Why does Francisco respond the way that he does to the break-out at the
mills?  How is that response contrary to his aims?  Why can’t Francisco
continue his conversation with Hank after that?  (456-60)
- Why does Hank Rearden risk his life to save Francisco during the break-out?
Is that altruistic? Why or why not? (458)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim
Section 1 (461-475)
- How has Hank Rearden’s attitude toward and treatment of his family changed?
How — and why — has it remained the same?  (461-71)
- Why does Lillian barrage Hank with guilt? What does she want him to think,
feel, and do? What flaw does Hank see in that plan? (464-6)
- What does Philip say to offend Hank? How — and why — does Hank respond?
How is that moral progress for Hank? How does Philip (and the rest of his
family) respond to Hank? (467-70)
- Why does Eddie wish to disavow Hank Rearden’s trial as not being in his
name?  How does Hank respond? Why? (473)
- How — and why — does Hank have a more meaningful Thanksgiving with Dagny
than with his family?  (474-5)

Section 2: (475-484)
- What is Rearden’s basic strategy in the trial?  What moral principles does
he appeal to? To what extent is he successful?  What does he learn? (476-82)

Section 3 (484-495)
- How do people respond to the trial of Hank Rearden?  How do they reveal
their own moral principles in those responses?  (484-5)
- Why is Hank concerned by Francisco’s apparent pursuit of mindless pleasures,
particularly sex? What does Hank learn from the discussion?  How is sex
related to economics? (489-93)
- Why does Francisco refuse to prevent the sinking of the copper shipment?
Why is he tempted to do so? Why does Hank feel so betrayed?  Should he be?
(494-5)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

WHERE:
Jackie & Lyman Hazelton’s Home
480-921-1156
Use http://www.mapquest.com/ to get directions from your location.

QUESTIONS:
Jackie Hazelton
(c) 480-516-3281 (h) 480-921-1156
(e) AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net

RSVP:
Reply to this message to AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net or
Call Jackie Hazelton at 480-921-1156

BRING:
Snacks or beverage to share or a monetary donation.

NOTE CHANGE OF TIME AND LOCATION!

WHEN:
TUESDAY, August 3, 2010 6:30 PM

WHERE:
QUEEN’S PIZZA
125 W. Main Street
Mesa, AZ  85201
480-964-1609
Use http://www.mapquest.com/ to get directions from your location.
Free Parking behind the restaurant.

Stop by Mike Riley’s establishment before the meeting
BOOK GALLERY
50 W. Main Street
Mesa, AZ  85201
480-835-0757
They normally close at 6 but will remain open until 6:30 so we can visit.
I would plan 30 minutes to an hour of browsing.

TOPIC:
Explore Atlas Shrugged  Session 7
Podcasts and  discussion questions on Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged
We will discuss the questions.

READINGS:
Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 2 - Part 2, Chapter 3 (Part A)
Part 2: Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull
Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (Part A)
Or:
Pages 352-406 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 379-438 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

AUTHOR:
http://www.exploreaynrand.com/1957/
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for
ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas
Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in
more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas
Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.

Part 2: Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull
Section 1 (379-382)
- What kind of person is Quentin Daniels?  How is he different from the
scientists Dagny interviewed earlier?  (380-1, 353)

Section 2 (383-387)
- What kind of deal did Hank Rearden and Ken Dannager make? What are the
risks? Why are they willing to take those risks? (383)
- Why is Lillian determined to attend James Taggart’s wedding with Hank?  Why
does Hank want to do anything but that? Why does Hank agree to attend?
(385-7)

Section 3 (387-392)
- How does Jim Taggart court Cherryl?  Why and how is she pained by it?
(387-92)

Section 4 (392-422)
- How and why the wedding party a major political event? How do Orren Boyle
and James Taggart think of and deal with other people, including each other?
(392-5)
- How and why does Lillian bring Hank as a present for Jim Taggart?  What does
she reveal about her aims with respect to her husband?  What is the
non-material recompense that Lillian wants from Jim? (398-400)
- How and why is Lillian repeatedly frustrated in her conversation with Dagny?
Why does Lillian want the bracelet of Rearden Metal back from Dagny?  Why
does Dagny respond as she does?  What is the significance of Hank’s response?
(400-3)
- Why doesn’t Dagny reproach Hank for appearing at the wedding with Lillian?
Why is Hank tortured?  How does that reflect their different views of their
relationship? (396-8, 403-4)
- What does Francisco mean in saying that an aristocracy of pull replaces an
aristocracy of money when a culture is freed from (in Taggart’s words) “the
stranglehold of the profit-chasers”?  (404)  Is that true?  How have we seen
that so far in the novel?
- What is Francisco’s response to the Biblical claims that “money is the root
of all evil” and that “love of money is the root of all evil”?  What are the
critical points that Francisco makes?  How does he connect money with
production and man’s mind?  How is money only a tool?  Why is the only
alternative to money brute force?  (410-5)
- Why is Hank so happy to see Francisco?  What is the significance of the
friendship to each man?  (415)
- Why does Francisco reveal the impending crash of D’Anconia Copper at the
party? Why does he want Hank Rearden to see the panic of the looters? How
does that crash connect to Francisco’s speech on money? (421-2)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail
Section 1 (423-428)
- Why does Dagny take the attitude she does toward the fact that Hank is
married?  Why is seeing him suffer the worst part for her, not seeing him
with Lillian?  (425-6)
- Why does Dagny say that if one person’s pleasure must be bought at another
person’s pain that no trade should be done?  How would that apply to Hank’s
relationship with Lillian?  (425-6)  Should that apply to all relationships?

Section 2 (428-432)
- Why did Lillian suspect Hank of having an affair?  What kind of person does
she suppose his mistress to be?  Why?  (428-30)
- What is Lillian’s response to Hank’s affair? Why is she determined to remain
Mrs. Rearden? Why does Hank agree to that? (428-32)

Section 3 (432-438)
- What is Dr. Ferris’ manner of dealing with Hank Rearden?  What kind of
agreement is Ferris hoping to reach with Rearden?  What does Rearden choose
to do instead? (432-7)
- What does Rearden learn about the looters in his conversation with Dr.
Ferris?  (432-7)  Why does Ferris want people to break their laws?  (435-7)

QUESTIONS:
Jackie Hazelton
(c) 480-516-3281 (h) 480-921-1156
(e) AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net

RSVP:
Reply to this message to AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net or
Call Jackie Hazelton at 480-921-1156

WHEN:
TUESDAY, April 6, 2010 7:00 PM

TOPIC:
Explore Atlas Shrugged  Session 4
Podcasts and  discussion questions on Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged
We will discuss the questions.

READINGS:
Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 7 (Part B) - 8
Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 5-9)
Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line
Or:
Pages 185-252 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 178-241 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

AUTHOR:
http://www.exploreaynrand.com/1957/
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for
ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas
Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in
more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas
Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited
Section 5: 185-92
- What is Dr. Stadler’s basic modus operandi?  What motivates him to act as he
does?  How does he view other people?  Why did he found the State Science
Institute?  (185-92)

Section 6: 192-7
- Why does Dagny choose to take on the burden of completing the Rio Norte Line
alone?  What are the basic terms of the deal she offers Jim?  Is the deal
just or not?  (193-5)

Section 7: 197-201
- Why is Francisco D’Anconia so pained by Dagny’s request for investment?  Why
does he refuse to help her?  Why does his attitude change so dramtically in
the middle of the conversation?  What is Dagny’s response to that change?
(197-201)

Section 8: 201-5
- What does Rearden reveal about his feelings for Dagny when she suggests that
he has only ever thought of her as a man?  Why does Dagny think that of him?
Why does Hank think of his feelings for Dagny as a betrayal of her?  (204-5)

Section 9: 205-216
- What is the basic moral difference between the request of Mrs. Rearden and
the request of Mr. Ward to Hank Rearden?  Why does Hank refuse the former yet
work hard to satisfy the latter? (206-213)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line
Section 1: 217-8
- Why does Eddie feel like a stooge for Jim Taggart?  In what way is that
feeling right?  (218)

Section 2: 219-21
- What does Dagny’s longing for “a consciousness like her own” reveal about
her romantic ideal?  Why doesn’t Francisco or Hank satisfy that longing?
(220)

Section 3: 221-7
- How does Rearden’s sale of his ore mines to Paul Larkin differ from his sale
of his coal mines to Ken Dannager?  What do these transactions reveal about
each man? (221-4)

Section 4: 227-33
- What kind of ideas and values motivate and guide the opinions of laymen and
intellectuals about Rearden Metal?  (227-9)
- What kind of game is the delegate of the Union of Locomotive Engineers
attempting to play with Dagny?  How does she block it?  (231-2)

Section 5: 233-6
- What does Rearden’s claim that he will earn enormous profits yet benefit the
public with his metal reveal about his view of the interests of producers and
consumers? (235)

Section 6: 236-9
- How is the opening of the John Galt Line a true celebration for Dagny –
unlike her debut ball as a young woman? (236-9)

Section 7: 239-242
- What does Ayn Rand reveal about her view of the proper relationship between
mind and body in the first run of the John Galt Line? (241, 243, 245-6)
- What permits Hank Rearden to express his desire for Dagny?  What is Dagny’s
motivation for the affair with Hank?  Why is their sex so violent?  (250-2)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

WHERE:
Jackie & Lyman Hazelton’s Home
480-921-1156

QUESTIONS:
Jackie Hazelton
(c) 480-516-3281 (h) 480-921-1156
(e) AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net

RSVP:
Reply to this message to AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net or
Call Jackie Hazelton at 480-921-1156

BRING:
Snacks or beverage to share or a monetary donation.

WHEN:
TUESDAY, March 2, 2010 7:00 PM

TOPIC:
Explore Atlas Shrugged  Session 3
Podcasts and  discussion questions on Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged
We will discuss the questions.

READINGS:
Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 6-7 (Part A)
Part 1: Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 1-4)
Or:
Pages 127-185 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 124-178 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

AUTHOR:
http://www.exploreaynrand.com/1957/
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for
ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas
Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in
more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas
Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.

Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
Section 1 (127-57)
- Why does Rearden find it difficult to motivate himself to play his role in
the anniversary party?  What is the nature and source of his psychological
conflict?  (127-31)
- What is the Equalization of Opportunity Bill?  What is its analog in today’s
laws?  Why do people support it?  What is Rearden’s attitude toward it — and
why? (130)
- How does Hank respond to Dagny at the anniversary party?  Why is Dagny
disappointed?  Why does he respond the way that he does?  (137-8, 149-51)
- Why is Rearden so angry at the presence of Bertram Scudder?  Why does
Lillian respond the way that she does to his anger?  Why did she invite
Scudder?  (139)
- How does Francisco explain the failure of the San Sebastian Mines to Jim?
What kind of moral principles did Francisco adhere to in building the mine?
Why was failure the only possible result?  (143)
- How does Hank Rearden reveal his view of the world in his conversation with
Francisco D’Anconia?  What is the difference in their basic outlooks?  What
ideas does Francisco want to arm Hank with?  (145-9)
- Why does Dagny want the bracelet of Readen Metal from Lillian?  Why does
Lillian trade it with her?  Why does Hank respond to that exchange the way
that he does?  (155-7)

Section 2 (157-61)
- What is Lillian’s view of sex?  Why does it torture Hank?  Is he right or
wrong to accept that torture?  (158-60)
- Why does Hank now find it impossible to have sex with Lillian?  What has
changed for him?  (160)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited
Section 1: 162-72
- What kind of virtues are required for Dagny’s work on the Rio Norte Line?
Does she deserve admiration?  Why?  (162-72)
- How are the interests of all the producers in harmony, even though
competitors?  Why do they help each other?  (163, 165-6, 168-9)
- Why do Hank and Dagny think that Colorado cannot be stopped?  Are they right
or wrong?  (171)

Section 2: 172-8
- Why does Dagny refuse to debate the question “Is Rearden Metal a lethal
product of greed?” (175)

Section 3: 178-82
- What is the fundamental difference in manner between Hank Rearden and Dr.
Potter of the State Science Institute?  How is Dr. Potter like James Taggart?
Why does Rearden refuse to sell Rearden Metal?  (178-82)

Section 4: 182-5
- Why does Mr. Mowen now refuse to work with Rearden Metal?  What is his
method of dealing with contrary public opinion? (182-3)
- Why is the State Science Institute’s statement on Rearden Metal so unjust?
If Rearden Metal is good, why can’t the statement be refuted?  (183-5)

WHERE:
Jackie & Lyman Hazelton’s Home

QUESTIONS:
Jackie Hazelton
(c) 480-516-3281 (h) 480-921-1156
(e) AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net

RSVP:
Reply to this message to AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net or
Call Jackie Hazelton at 480-921-1156

BRING:
Snacks or beverage to share or a monetary donation.

WHEN:
TUESDAY, February 2, 2010 7:00 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AYN RAND!

TOPIC:
Explore Atlas Shrugged  Session 2
Podcasts and  discussion questions on Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged
We will discuss the questions.

READINGS:
Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 4-5
Part 1: Chapter 4: The Immovable Movers
Part 1: Chapter 5: The Climax of the d’Anconias
Or:
Pages 64-126 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
Pages 67-124 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

AUTHOR:
http://www.exploreaynrand.com/1957/
These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for
ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas
Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in
more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas
Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.

Part 1, Chapter 4: Immovable Movers
Section 1 (64-69)
- Why does Dagny seek to be a passive spectator of greatness? Why is that so
important to her? (65-6)

Section 2 (70-72)
- What is the nature of Jim’s relationship with Betty Pope? What does that
reveal about his capacity to feel emotions and his concern for spiritual
values? (70-2)

Section 3 (72)
- How does Jim spin the San Sebastián nationalization to the Board? What does
that reveal about his character? (72)

Section 4 (73)
- What do Jim Taggart and Orren Boyle think of Francisco D’Anconia? What does
that reveal about them? (73)

Section 5 (73-77)
- What is the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule? Why do the railroad executives vote for
it, even though they do not support it? (73-5)
- Why does Dagny not speak to Jim about the San Sebastián nationalization? Was
that a mistake? Has he accepted that he was wrong? (75-6)

Section 6 (77-80)
- Why does Dagny Taggart want Dan Conway to fight the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule?
Should he abide by it? Why is he willing to accept it? What has defeated him?
(77-80)
- What is Dagny Taggart’s view of the morality of sacrifice? What is Dan
Conway’s view? Who is right? (78)

Section 7 (81-82)
- Why does Wyatt speak as he does to Dagny? Why does she accept his beating?
(81-2)

Section 8 (82-88)
- How do Hank and Dagny transact business? How are they both allies and
antagonists? How is their approach different from that seen in the earlier
meeting between the looters in the bar? (83-5)
- How does Dagny’s response to the loading of the Rearden Metal differ from
that his family? Has she given Hank something he needed? What is that? (86)
- Why does Hank say that he and Dagny are blackguards without spiritual
values? Does Hank have spiritual values? Why does Hank’s claim worry Dagny,
yet only in part? (87-8)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 5: The Climax of the D’Anconias
Section 1 (89-90)
- How does Eddie Willers respond to the discovery that the San Sebastián Mines
are worthless? Why? (89-90)

Section 2 (90-126)
- How was Jim Taggart corrupt in his childhood? Could he have been a better
person? If so, why does he choose as he does? (93, 94, 95-6) What effect does
college have on Jim? (99)
- Why does Francisco say that a person’s work is “the only measure of human
value”? Does he mean that nothing else in life matters? What is he warning
Dagny against? (100)
- What is Francisco and Dagny’s first sexual encounter like? Why? How were
they innocent of any burden of sin — and why? (107-9)
- When they meet that last night in the Wayne-Faulkland Hotel, what is
Francisco’s state of mind? Why doesn’t he tell Dagny everything? (111-5)
- How did Francisco swindle Jim and his friends with the San Sebastián Mines?
How does he explain his actions to Dagny? What is her response? How was the
swindle “tearing the lid off hell and letting men see it”? (118-121, 122-6)

Whole Chapter
- What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

WHERE:
Jackie & Lyman Hazelton’s Home
2153 E. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
480-921-1156
Use http://www.mapquest.com/ to get directions from your location.

QUESTIONS:
Jackie Hazelton
(c) 480-516-3281 (h) 480-921-1156
(e) AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net

RSVP:
Reply to this message to AZObjectivists_at_cox_dot_net or
Call Jackie Hazelton at 480-921-1156

BRING:
Snacks or beverage to share or a monetary donation.