Abstract
The paper examines Russian emigree author Ayn Rand's four works of fiction as well as her non-fictional writings in an attempt to examine and explain her influence as one of the leading proponents of Objectivism in the 1940's and the continuing influence of her works today. The paper looks at the influence of Rand's work on the Canadian rock band Rush, whose drummer is a noted fan of Ayn Rand's and singles out the song "2112" which the paper compares with a character in the book "Anthem".

From the Paper
"While the man quoted above is a fictional character, Howard Roark and his ilk have had an amazing impact on the literary world. The Fountainhead, the book from which Roark emerged, has been named the second-greatest book ever written by the Modern Library, a division of Random House. In fact, Atlas Shrugged, another book by the same author, was on the very top of the list, and the works Anthem and We the Living were seventh and eighth, respectively (The Modern Library 1). One may ask who this author is, how they had such clout in the world of literature that every book of fiction they had written was considered among the greatest books of all time. This author is Ayn Rand, an emigre from Russia, and leader of the Objectivist movement that struck the United States, starting in the late 1940s. While it may be said that Ayn Rand was merely an author in the Romantic style, her primary focus was introducing readers to her belief in Objectivism and its merits. Her fiction allowed readers to delve deeper into her passion for Objectivism, while her nonfiction explained the way her philosophy worked and how those who cared for Objectivism could apply it in their own lives. As well as explaining her ways, Rand's nonfiction also explained exactly what Objectivism is and what it stands for."

Tags:objectivism, capitalism, philosophy, fountainhead, atlas, shrugged

Abstract
This paper explains that the book is all about individualism, something that has been termed a hallmark of Rand. The author points out that the book was published posthumously by her student, Leonard Peikoff, and contains a collection of eighteen articles, the majority of which had appeared in "The Ayn Rand Letters". The paper concludes that Rand proved, through this book, that philosophy needs to not impress people, but is something that is very essential to understanding of one's actions and deeds in life.

From the Paper
"Rand spent her 76 years of life preaching fundamentals of reason, truth and freedom and at her funeral; Dr. Piekoff said that she had changed the course of history. She has been subject of some condemnation too by staunch supporters of philosophers whom she argued against. Her Russian identity was linked to her "mind behind the Iron Curtain" and such terms but she has lived through it all, gaining acclamation from virtually all quarters of the U.S.."

Tags:individualism, posthumous, letter, understanding, selfishness

Abstract
The paper looks at how Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is set some time in the future in the United States, which is experiencing a severe economic depression. The paper describes how businesses are closing down left and right, however, business dealings that continue are conducted in backroom bars and involve manipulation and deceit. The paper relates that "looters" (the government and people who seize property from capitalists) run rampant trading favors for value, with muscle and influence becoming the new form of currency, resulting in the weak profiting at the strong's expense.

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is set some time in the future in the United States, which is experiencing a severe economic depression. Businesses are closing down left and right, however, business dealings that continue are conducted in backroom bars and involve manipulation and deceit."

Tags:atlas, shrugged, socialism

Abstract
The paper outlines Rand's early years under the Communist regime in Russia and looks at how Rand established her prolific career as a screenplay and fiction writer. The paper discusses her ethical point of view of objectivism and explains how Nathaniel Branden, one of her students, promoted her objectivist approach to human life. The paper also discusses Rand's personal relationship with Branden.

Outline:
Early Life and Experiences Under Oppressive Regimes
Major Philosophical Contributions

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand was born Alisa Rosenbaum in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905. A self-taught reader, she aspired to become a fiction writer at a very early age and always modeled herself after European writers like Victor Hugo rather than Russian writers (Rand, Branden, Greenspan, et al., 1986). Rand experienced two Revolutions in Russia while still in high school and her family moved to the Crimea to escape the violence associated with it. Ultimately, her family was left nearly destitute by the confiscation of her father's pharmacy by the Communists after the success of the 1917 Bolshevist Revolution. When she began reading about American history in her final year of high school, she was instantly taken by the benefits of a free society and began aspiring to emigrate to escape Communism in Russia (Rand, Branden, Greenspan, et al., 1986)."

Tags:screenplay, Hollywood, objectivism, Nathaniel, Branden, Einstein, Russell

Abstract
This paper studies Ayn Rand's dystopian novel "Anthem". The book is written as the journal of Equality 7 2521, a man struggling with his individuality, his will and his concepts of good and evil. The paper details the book's plot line, which is based on Equality's long and arduous -- though ultimately triumphant -- journey of self discovery. The paper shows how Equality overcame guilt, deprivation, punishment, banishment and betrayal and in the process formulated his own definitions of truth, freedom and love.

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's Anthem is a dystopian story written in the form of a journal kept by Equality 7 2521, a man born to an oppressive, backwards collective state set in a bleak unnamed place and time. This society, whose most recent technological advance is candlelight encourages conformity and drudgery and suppresses individuality and progress. Here, friendship and love, curiosity and creativity, and any display of self will or preference is punishable in the Palace of Corrective Detention. The punishment for swiping candles, alone, is ten years detention. In this world, there is no encouragement or even concept of self. "There is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone." Individuals refer to themselves as "we" and to other individuals as "they." In fact, the word "I," is not known to most, and to speak this word is the worst possible transgression. "There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word.'"

Tags:dystopian, selfishness, conformity, individuality, progress, truth, individualism

Abstract
Starts out with a contrast of society's "ideal man" and Rand's man. Explains the influence of her upbringing and Communist Russia on her desired attributes of said man. Details obsession with portraying this man in all her writings. Discusses traits of creator: originator, "black or white" mentality, perfectionist, egoist, selfishness, individualist, atheist, requirement of suffering. Also touches on whether a woman can be an ideal "man", according to Rand's definition, and discusses, briefly, the rape scene.

From the Paper
"If one does a search for "ideal man" on any web-based search engine, the majority of the webpage links returned describe physical qualities or list one of a number of celebrities. A recent survey to compile the most important characteristics returned the following attributes: "The ideal man is taller; athletic/toned build; hairless face and chest; medium butt and lips; blue eyes; short brown straight hair; with piercings - but depends where; and without tattoos" (Purple Tights). Now add just a single word to that search, ?Rand,? and the result changes dramatically. The web pages that are returned are primarily focused on the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of a person. Ayn Rand was obsessed with the "ideal man." In her book The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark, is Rand's vision of this ideal man. While Rand makes good arguments for her view of the idyllic man, there are several characteristics that alienate him from the rest of humanity and make his existence unrealistic, and more likely impossible. She has created an archetype, a superhero of sorts. And every superhero has at least one weakness. Though Rand may not classify them as weaknesses, they definitely affect his ability to interact with the society in which he lives."

Tags:idyllic, gender

Abstract
This paper discusses the life and work of the author Ayn Rand and makes a parallel between her background in communist Russia and her philosophy of objectivism. It show how Rand?s works and ideals were the product of opposition to her background and homeland?s philosophies by analysis of the themes in her novels "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged".

From the Paper
"These concepts of total equality and selflessness are what Ayn Rand despised and fought with her concept of objectivism. Objectivism is Rand's most lauded philosophy; it is Rand's belief that all universal concepts can be explained rationality, neither being received by mystic forces nor created by the human mind (Baker 95). This train of thought conveys three arguments that are ever visible in Rand's writings: individualism versus collectivism, egoism versus altruism, and reason versus mysticism ("Overview" online). Rand embraces the former of each in her two most renowned novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged."

Tags:bolshevik, collectivism, communism, individualism, marxist, objectivism, socialism

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the theme of the individual versus society in the work of Salinger and Rand. The paper discusses how in both books, the protagonist is a talented and articulate nonconformist who cannot fit into current societal constructs of identity, and wishes for an alternative venue in which he can express his true self. The paper uses the example of the normal, adolescent isolation and angst of the character, Holden Caufield, in Catcher in the Rye" and the abnormal anthem of pain of the character, Equality 7-2521, in "Anthem".

From the Paper
"Holden's likelihood of eventually becoming integrated into adult society is underlined because he does possess strong ties to his family. Although Holden spends much of the novel of The Catcher in the Rye wandering, he is always wandering to somewhere--eventually back to the apartment of his mother and father. Although Holden criticizes his brother, he clearly loves his sister, and dreams about being the title catcher in the rye, who saves children from feeling pain. "I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all." (Salinger 173) Even Holden's sister Phoebe, a child herself, criticizes Holden's fantasy as crazy, noting how simplistic and stark it is, compared with the moral complexities of the adult world. The world, the book suggests, is not nearly as 'us versus them' as Holden's adolescent viewpoint suggests. Although Holden dislikes his current place in society, change is inevitable given the nature of the aging process. But Equality 7-2521's society stifles such familial feelings that allow persons such as Holden to come to terms with their difficulties. Equality is raised in an impersonal setting, a nursery with no fathers or mothers. "

Tags:phoebe, character, society, equality, fear, norm

Abstract
This brief paper examines the tone of individualism, which is expressed through imagery and word choice in the book, "Anthem," by Ayn Rand. The paper also refers to issues of individualism from everyday life, such as man versus government and man versus society.

From the Paper
"With this dictating system, morals and ethics are recessive qualities that men do not even know exist. Rand expresses the Deep Loss of Moral Rights Imagery through the basic system in which the people live, for they are "one" in all and "all" in one (RAND 19). This explains that there are "no men" but only the great "WE," which ironically happens to be "one" and "indivisible" (RAND 19). Everyone views everyone as a whole: no individualism, conceited perspectives, or even self-pride."

Tags:Golden, One, Uncharted, Forest

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged is regarded as the embodiment of her philosophy of Objectivism and as the Bible for this philosophy, a philosophy that has implications for business and for the relationship between society and its institutions. Rand herself considered the novel to be her masterpiece, and it was the largest and last of her novels. The book took nine years to complete, and it was received by critics who either loved or hated it. Many found it to be powerful but still condemned it for the ferocity of its vision.


Rand railed in the novel against what she saw as the loss of personal liberty that marked contemporary society. She saw government as having become hopelessly bureaucratic in nature, with the bureaucracy dedicated to reducing whatever personal liberty was left. The novel takes place in a vaguely defined..."