James Taggart In Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

The renowned inventor Thomas Edison had once said that “five percent of the world think; ten percent think they think; and another eighty-five percent would rather die than think.” There is no doubt that James Taggart, a character in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, would belong in the category of the eighty-five percent. His initial words are “don’t bother me, don’t bother me, don’t bother me.” These significant words hint at James’s unwillingness to accept reality, his disapproval of people’s success, and his determination to destroy others. His initial words show that he is the only one to blame for his downfall.
James’s initial words symbolize his provincial perspective and his inability to grasp reality. He is convinced, like many others, that

James and his friends terminate Dan Conway’s Phoenix –Durango Railroad because it becomes a competition to Taggart Transcontinental. The Phoenix-Durango was respected because of its scrupulous service; James destroys it for his own profit not for public good as he claims. The wily James marries Cheryl, a girl entranced by him, to destroy her. He married her seeing the flame of hope and passion she has for life and he becomes the storm that finally smothers her hopeful spirit and finally her life. He doesn’t show anger or disapproval towards Cheryl when she makes mistakes in public, not because he is forgiving but because he likes to think that she is worthless and make her believe it too. Therefore, when she gains confidence he is angered. He is proud of his part in destroying what others have worked hard for. He is enthusiastic when he hears the idea that Francisco’s mines were to be nationalized. He believes that this would greatly destroy Francisco, but it was he who was the most shocked after the nationalization of Francisco’s mines. The furtive James also tries to harm John. He encourages Dr. Ferris, “an incompetent little professor with the appearance of a gigolo and the soul of a thug” to elevate the intensity of John’s punishment. James wants to destroy John because John’s complete awareness of reality seems like a threat to