By Tore Boeckmann
Ayn Rand's novels dramatize grand themes like individualism versus collectivism, the nature of the ego, and the role of the mind in man's existence. Yet, as she said, "what is important is not the message a writer projects explicitly, but the values and view of life he projects implicitly."
Mr. Boeckmann discusses some of the values and premises implicit in Ayn Rand's fiction, with special emphasis on values relating to romance and productive work. He explains how the projection of these "extra-thematic" values is fully integrated with the dramatizations of the themes involved. The final result is great works of fiction suffused with Ayn Rand's personal values. This result, and the method behind it, in itself projects metaphysical premises of crucial importance, relating to individual freedom of choice.
This course was recorded at the 2008 Objectivist Summer Conference in Newport Beach, CA.
(MP3 download; 88 min., with Q & A, 53.10 MB)
