Atlas Shrugged Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter I: The Theme

• Eddie Willers, Taggart Transcontinental's vice president's assistant, is disturbed by a homeless man's question, "Who is John Galt?"
• The phrase is slang for hopelessness and the unknowable.
• Businesses are failing everywhere, reminiscent of a childhood memory of a lightning-struck, destroyed oak tree.
• Jim Taggart is the railroad's president, faces a Rio Norte Line wreck and cannot replace the track due to a delayed shipment from Orren Boyle's Associated Steel.
• Eddie suggests Rearden Steel, but Jim favors Boyle out of friendship, despite the risk of losing major shippers in Colorado to Dan Conway's Phoenix-Durango railroad.
• Ellis Wyatt, an oil entrepreneur, switches to Phoenix-Durango because Taggart cannot keep up with shipments
• Dagny Taggart examines the Rio Norte Line, hearing a brakeman whistle Richard Halley's nonexistent Fifth Concerto.
• The brakeman becomes evasive when questioned about it.
• After the train stops, Dagny discovers that the engineer refuses to proceed.
• She orders him to move, making her resolve to promote the talented Owen Kellogg.
• Dagny tells Jim that issues with the Rio Norte are severe, leading her to cancel Boyle's order and order Rearden Metal instead.
• Jim opposes her decision, citing that she lacks the Board's approval and stating that Boyle deserves a chance.
• Jim criticizes Rearden Metal as unproven, but Dagny believes it is superior.
• Jim eventually agrees to the order.
• Dagny learns that Halley has disappeared from public life and has published nothing in eight years, while inquiring about the Fifth Concerto.
• Owen Kellogg quits, frustrating Dagny; he gives no reason and refuses all counter-offers.
• When asked why he is quitting, he answers with “Who is John Galt?”

Chapter II: The Chain

• Hank Rearden is pleased as Rearden Metal's first order is poured and reflects on the decade of effort to create the alloy and his rise to ownership of mines/mills.
• At home, he is unable to share his joy with his family (wife Lillian, mother, brother Philip, and friend Paul Larkin), who insult his devotion to work.
• He presents Lillian with a Rearden Metal bracelet, which his mother belittles.
• Rearden feels exhausted and confused by his family's desires, sensing they want control.
• He feels they despise the qualities he values.
• Paul Larkin advises Rearden to moderate his individualism and pay attention to his "man in Washington", a lobbyist.
• Rearden recognizes the need for political protection but lacks conviction to pursue it.

Analysis: Part One, Chapters I-II

• Rand shows a nation in decay with failing businesses, shortages, and a sense of doom, reflected in the question "Who is John Galt?"
• The question conveys hopelessness and loss of spirit.
• The lightning-struck oak tree mirrors society's internal decay.
• Dagny and Jim represent opposing forces, highlighting the central conflict.
• Dagny embodies Ayn Rand's capitalism: is strong, confident, finds joy in meaningful work, and makes decisions based on objective facts.
• Jim is weak, relies on public opinion, and favors socialistic sacrifice for the public good.
• Personal responsibility and commitment are key themes.
• The weak avoid blame, while the strong use judgment and accept responsibility.
• Richard Halley's disappearance and the brakeman's Fifth Concerto are mysterious.
• Owen Kellogg's resignation is perplexing given his promising career.
• Hank Rearden is a successful industrialist moved by his own work who is self-motivated, self-actualized and virtuous, while his family is is driven by weakness to take from him, while encouraging him to feel guilty.
• Family tries to control Rearden by inducing guilt, key to the looters' method of exploiting producers.
• Rearden doesn't see this in his personal life but sees it in his work.
• The bracelet for Lillian represents his bondage to his family.
• Paul Larkin's advice foreshadows political events, as Rearden lacks political engagement and prefers his work.