Favorite Scene in Atlas Shrugged

There is a scene that always comes to mind when I think of Atlas Shrugged. It is only a few lines, so I will quote it here.

“Mother, do they think it’s exactly in reverse?” she asked. “What?” asked Mrs. Taggart, bewildered. “The things you were talking about. The lights and the flowers. Do they expect those things to make them romantic, not the other way around?”

Rand, Ayn (2005-04-21). Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition) (p. 101). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition. 

The scene where Francisco helps Rearden save the furnace was fantastic.

I have many favorite scenes in Atlas Shrugged, but this one above all: 

“Not a single mind left on Taggart Transcontinental.”

The automatic interlocker has broken and Dagney, dressed in an evening gown and cape is on the Taggart platform instructing the lowest track workers on switching the trains by hand.  In defiance of the preposterous situation, she throws her cape open to display her naked arms and a brilliant diamond pin against the glowing black satin of her gown. Then she sees John Galt in the crowd of laborers.

It’s tough to pick just one.  In addition to the ones mentioned above, Dagny and Hank on the first train on the John Galt Line is one of my top favorites.  When Francisco tells Hank “I have not said you needed it.  But of all those whom you are saving from the storm tonight, I am the only one who will offer it” is a beautiful moment in a favorite scene.

I really like the scene when Dagny meets Hugh Akston only to discover, later, that his name was plastered on the mailbox for anyone to discover if only he looked.

The scene in which Ragnar an Rearden meet is exciting and compelling every time I read or listen to it.

Just two examples of many.

Re: Ken Douglas’ post 100556 of 4/19/15

My favorite scene in Atlas Shrugged is when Dagny takes Stadler to show him the remains of the motor. I quoted this scene in the personal reflection at the end of my graduate school thesis. The key line, for me, is “…He wanted a motor and he quietly performed a major revolution in the science of energy, just as a means to an end, and he didn’t even publish his findings, …he [wasted] his mind on practical appliances…”

For one whose frightening childhood taught him to live in his own head and keep the world out, this encapsulates so very precisely a key theme for me in Atlas Shrugged: Of value to whom? For what?

/sb