James Taggart and Betty Pope(By: Carys)

I recently read a book called------Atlas Shrugged; here is the reason why Taggart’s emotion shifts during his interactions with Betty Pope…. Hope you all can enjoy…. This brings up the theme of Hank Rearden and his wife, Lillian. At first, Taggart is irritable and dismissive, but when Betty says about Lillian’s dissatisfaction in her marriage and implies that Hank Rearden is a “selfish brute”, Taggart’s spirits lift noticeably. One of the reasons here is Schadenfreude, also known as pleasure in other’s fortune. Taggart resents Hank Rearden, a competent industrialist who embodies the virtues of Taggart absents of. Hearing that Hank Rearden’s marriage is sad gives Taggart a sense of satisfaction, where he enjoys the opinion that even someone as successful as Hank Rearden has personal failings. Besides that, gossips act as a role of a weapon. Taggart thrives on manipulating and undermining others. Betty’s gossips about Hank Rearden’s private life offers ammunition Taggart can use to tarnish Hank Rearden’s reputation, reinforcing his own sense of superiority. Lastly, confirmation from his worldview. Taggart believes that people like Hank Rearden who is productive, independent and self-assured are inherently flawed or brutal. Hearing that Hank Rearden’s wife is feeling blue validates Taggart’s belief that virtue and success are somehow corrupt. Here is the evidence----- "Lillian is my best friend, and I think it’s perfectly terrible of him, the way he treats her… He’s a selfish brute." Taggart’s reactions are immediate "Jimmy’s spirits lifted suddenly." He then supports Betty to elaborate, showing his eagerness to hear more bad details.