I had my copy of the book with me when I was out the other day, a man I met said that he had read the book in the '70's and at the time he thought that it sounded like the present. I'm sure when Ann wrote the book in the 50's she thought it sounded like the present. Has it always been so?
I wonder how Rearden ever married this woman, when did he find the time to court, how did she attract him in the first place? No one has mentioned the word jealousy, do you think there is any in these "hangers on"? Why does Rearden put up with these people? Do they matter so little? Is it not worth the effort to make domestic changes? How do you put up with these people that so obviously care so little for him?
I hadn’t integrated “jealousy” into my assessment of the Rearden clan, but that is spot-on. Someone else thought that Rearden Mom had once been wealthy, or at least middle-class, and I say, “No Way!” I can’t remember if it is this chapter or later (no spoiler) where she gets all sanctimonious and acts like Hank’s successes are because of her rearing of him. She definitely does not act like she deserves wealth, and it sits on her rather uncomfortably.
Now, here is a thought that is new to me: How much younger is Philip Rearden? Young enough to imply that Hank had his father around him for at least part of his childhood. Did Hank go to work at age 14 when his father passed? Does it matter? He had to have gotten a work ethic from somewhere.