Dagney Taggart

[rakess]

So, I just finished reading "Atlas Shrugged" and was thinking about the romance involved, mainly with the main character Dagney Taggart. To me, she is the ideal submissive woman. Her pleasure is derived from giving pleasure to the man she was with. Not only that, her submission has to be earned and vice versa. I was just wondering if anyone else had the read the book and thought along similar lines.

 

[Netzach]

This was given to me by my Bull on one of our first dates. I've found a lot in it over the years which I will always connect to him and to me. More of it from the brutal and fearless honesty of the Hank/affair section of the story.

If it was a seduction move on his part, well, he read me well. I think it was his way of saying he was falling hard and fast before he ever said it.

I kind of follow the Dagny trajectory - I don't bend unless there's fairly once in a lifetime chemistry. I can be happy and in love without that, and I move through the world as Dominant. But then there's him.

I think the beauty of it is that he also identifies with her, my Bull. There's a level of bending which other people will not bring out in him and I do.

It was a good book for a 26 year old full of fire and railing against idiocy. "Go on strike" he said, and handed me that.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I have read it.. I went through a stage where I was really into the writings of Ayn Rand.

In most of her work the women are portrayed as strong women, but submissive to the hero.

 

[Homburg]

Oddly enough, given my politics, I've not read any of Ayn Rand's books.

 

[MelancholyBaby]

So, I just finished reading "Atlas Shrugged" and was thinking about the romance involved, mainly with the main character Dagney Taggart. To me, she is the ideal submissive woman. Her pleasure is derived from giving pleasure to the man she was with. Not only that, her submission has to be earned and vice versa. I was just wondering if anyone else had the read the book and thought along similar lines.

I absolutely agree with you. I noticed this in The Fountainhead as well although in retrospect I'm not sure that Dominique Francon's submission was as obvious as Dagny's. I, in some ways, associated the bracelet of Rearden metal that she wore with a collar. She has a beautiful line somewhere, and I can't quote it verbatim, but it was something to the effect of her saying that she would give up anything she had to be a "luxury object for your (Rearden's) amusement."

It was a good book for a 26 year old full of fire and railing against idiocy. "Go on strike" he said, and handed me that.

Yes, exactly. It moved and inspired me when I read it.

 

[callinectes]

I read Atlas Shrugged nearly 18 years ago..approaching it from a political stance. If I recall correctly, I found Dagney really annoying. I need to re-read it. not only have my political views changed since then, so has my understanding of who I am. Thanks for shaking that cobweb loose!

 

[Semirhage]

I agree with your take on Dagny. I consider myself a very strong woman in most aspects of my life, most people who know me would never guess that when I am around my Master, all I want to do is please him and I derive great pleasure from that. I think it is one of the reasons that book has always been among my favorites. I love the idea of being able to be in control with strangers, but then having that one person I trust and love enough that I am able to relax and totally submit.

 

[satindesire]

I thought it was interesting that Bioshock made somenot-quite-so-subtle jabs about Ayn Rand's musings.