John Galt’s speech in “Atlas Shrugged” is a pivotal part of the novel, serving as a summation of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism. The speech, which spans approximately 90 pages, is delivered over the radio and is considered by Rand to be the most important part of the book. Galt’s speech addresses the moral crisis of the age, advocating for a philosophy of rational self-interest and rejecting the morality of sacrifice. The speech is integral to the novel’s theme and plot, explaining the reasons behind the strikers’ actions and offering a new moral code. However, many readers find the speech daunting and tedious, leading some to skip it while reading the book.
