Andrew Bernstein - CliffsNotes on Rands Atlas Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged

By Andrew Bernstein, Ph.D.

In This Book

Learn about the life and philosophy of Ayn Rand

Preview an introduction to Atlas Shrugged

Explore the novels themes and character development in the Critical Commentaries

Examine in-depth Character Analyses

Acquire an understanding of key themes with Critical Essays

Reinforce what you learn with CliffsNotes Review

Find additional information to further your study in CliffsNotes Resource Center and online at www.cliffsnotes.com

About the Author

Andrew Bernstein holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He teaches Philosophy at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York, and at the State University of New York at Purchase. Dr. Bernstein is a speaker for the Ayn Rand Institute and lectures on Ayn Rands novels throughout the
United States.

Publishers Acknowledgments

Editorial

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Glossary Editors: The editors and staff of Websters New World Dictionaries

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CliffsNotes Atlas Shrugged

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Copyright 2000 Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York, New York

ISBN: 0-7645-8556-8

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7

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Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, NJ

Published simultaneously in Canada

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bernstein, Andrew

CliffsNotes Atlas Shrugged / Andrew Bernstein, PhD.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 0-7645-8556-8 (alk. paper)

1. Rand, Aryn. Atlas Shrugged--Examinations--Study Guides. 2. Philosophy in literature. 3. Objectivism (Philosophy) I. Title: Rand's Atlas Shrugged. II Title

PS3535.A547 A9433 2000

813.52--dc21 00039548

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A Note to the Reader

READ THE ENTIRE LITERARY WORK. THESE NOTES ARE NOT INTENDED AND HAVE NOT BEEN PREPARED TO SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TEXT ITSELF OR FOR THE CLASSROOM DISCUSSION OF THE TEXT. STUDENTS WHO ATTEMPT TO USE THE NOTES AS SUCH ARE DENYING THEMSELVES THE VERY EDUCATION THEY ARE PRESUMABLY GIVING THEIR MOST VITAL YEARS TO ACHIEVE.

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CliffsNotes give you the basics including such features as information about the author, social and historical backgrounds, structure and tradition of literary genres, facts about the characters, critical analyses, review questions, glossaries of unfamiliar terms, foreign phrases and literary allusions, maps, genealogies, and a bibliography to help you locate more data for essays, oral reports, and term papers.

These features are intended as a supplementary aid to all students of literature. CliffsNotes will help free classroom students from intensive note taking, thus enabling them to listen intelligently while making selective notes on the instructors comments and class discussion, secure in the knowledge that they have a basic understanding of the work. The Notes are also helpful in preparing for an examination, eliminating the burden of trying to reread the full text under pressure and sorting through class notes to find that which is of central importance. A thorough appreciation of literature allows no shortcuts. By using CliffsNotes responsibly, reviewing past criticism of a literary work, and examining fresh points of view, you can establish a unique connection with a work of literature and can take a more active part in a key goal of education: redefining and applying classic wisdom to current and future problems.

How to Use This Book

This CliffsNotes study guide on Rands Atlas Shrugged supplements the original literary work, giving you background information about the author, an introduction to the work, a graphical character map, critical commentaries, expanded glossaries, and a comprehensive index, all for you to use as an educational tool that will allow you to better understand Atlas Shrugged . This study guide was written with the assumption that you have read Atlas Shrugged . Reading a literary work doesnt mean that you immediately grasp the major themes and devices used by the author; this study guide will help supplement your reading to be sure you get all you can from Rands Atlas Shrugged . CliffsNotes Review tests your comprehension of the original text and reinforces learning with questions and answers, practice projects, and more. For further information on Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged , check out the CliffsNotes Resource Center..