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Ayn Rand Institute 7th Annual Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest (Visit this link)

ATLAS SHRUGGED
Deadline: Sept 17, 2007
FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
3 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
5 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
20 FINALISTS: $100
20 SEMIFINALISTS: $50
ATLAS SHRUGGED—TOPICS
Select ONE of the following three topics:
1) A considerable part of the story of Atlas Shrugged deals with issues of justice. What is the account of justice that emerges in the novel? How does it compare to other, culturally-influential accounts of justice?
2) For each of the following passages from Atlas Shrugged, explain its meaning, its relation to the story, and its wider significance.
a) James Taggart: “I don’t know [what the phrase ‘Who is John Galt?’ stands for] … But the way people use it, they always seem to say it out of—”
Dagny Taggart: “Fear? Despair? Futility?”
James Taggart: “Yes … yes, that’s what it is.”
Dagny Taggart: “That’s what I want to throw in their faces!” [Part 1, Chapter VII]
b) Eddie Willers [to Dagny Taggart]: “We can’t fight it. It can’t be answered. We can’t demand a retraction. We can’t show them our tests or prove anything. They’ve said nothing. They haven’t said a thing that could be refuted and embarrass them professionally. It’s the job of a coward. You’d expect it from some con-man or blackmailer. But, Dagny! It’s the State Science Institute!” [Part 1, Chapter VII]
c) Francisco D’Anconia: “ … why is it that throughout man’s history the Nat Taggarts, who make the world, have always won—and always lost it to the men of the Board?"
Dagny Taggart: "I … don’t know."
[Part 2, Chapter V]
3) An important early event in the novel is the destruction of the Phoenix-Durango. What factors make its destruction possible? How does this issue relate to the meaning and theme of Atlas Shrugged?
ATLAS SHRUGGED—JUDGING
Essays will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged.
ATLAS SHRUGGED—RULES
Entrant must be enrolled in a college degree program at the time of entry.
High school students entering college in the fall of 2007 are also eligible.
Contest is open to students worldwide.
A stapled cover sheet MUST include: name and address of entrant; entrant's e-mail address (if available); name and address of entrant's university; topic selected (1, 2 or 3 from list above); and your declared major.
Essay must be no fewer than 1,000 and no more than 1,200 words in length, and must be typewritten and double-spaced. One entry per student, please.
Essay must be solely the work of the entrant.
Essay must be postmarked no later than September 17, 2007.
Decisions of the judges are final.
Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Past first-place winners are not eligible for this contest.
All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute and will not be returned.
Winners and other participants will be notified by November 27, 2007.
ATLAS SHRUGGED—TO ENTER
» Submit your essay online
Or mail your essay with stapled cover sheet to:
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest, Dept. W
The Ayn Rand Institute
P.O. Box 57044
Irvine, CA 92619-7044
If you wish to verify our receipt of your essay, please paperclip a stamped, self-addressed postcard to the essay. If you submit your essay online, we will send you an e-mail reply acknowledging receipt of your entry. If you have not received e-mail notification within 24 hours, please e-mail essay@aynrand.org.
Comments or questions about the essay contests are welcome. Please write to essay@aynrand.org.