The character of [Hank Rearden]? has two important roles to play in the novel. First, he is in the same position as the reader in that he is aware that there is something wrong with the world but is not sure what it is. Rearden is guided toward an understanding of the solution through his friendship with [Francisco d'Anconia]?, who does know the secret, and by this mechanism the reader is also prepared to understand the secret when it is revealed explicitly in [Galt's Speech]?.
Second, Rearden is used to illustrate Rand's [theory of sex]?. [Lillian Rearden]? cannot appreciate [Hank Rearden's]? virtues, and she is portrayed as being disgusted by sex. Dagny? clearly does appreciate Rearden's virtues, and this appreciation evolves into a sexual desire. Rearden is torn by a contradiction because he accepts the premises of the traditional view of sex as a lower instinct, while responding sexually to Dagny, who represents his highest values. Rearden struggles to resolve this internal conflict and in doing so illustrates Rand's sexual theory.
|
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)