Topic 1

Explain the title of the story. What is the significance of Atlas to Rand's story? What character or characters does Rand connect with the mythical figure of Atlas? Why?

Topic 2

Why is the question “Who is John Galt?” used so casually throughout the story? What does the question represent to people in society?

Topic 3

What role do rhetorical and unanswered questions play in Atlas Shrugged? Why does Rand use rhetorical questions throughout the story? What questions besides “Who is John Galt?” drive the action of the story forward?

Topic 4

Discuss the correlation between characters' personalities and physical appearances. Why does Rand create this correlation? How does this correlation affect the reader's perceptions of the characters?

Topic 5

Why does Rand focus on the railroad in the economy of the story? Could another type of business have been substituted? Why or why not?

Topic 6

Explain the relationships between...