Chapter 5. The Climax and the d’Anconias
Characters
Eddie
Dagny: called Slug by Francisco
Francisco: called Frisco by Dagny
Jim
Jim and Dagny’s unnamed mother
Francisco’s father is referred to
The Nature of Francisco
Much of this chapter discusses the childhood of Dagny, Francisco, and Jim.
We find out that as a child and young man, Francisco always won. He was successful, capable, and competent. There was nothing he couldn’t do.
Francisco told Eddie that “The reason my family has lasted for such a long time is that none of use has ever been permitted to think he is born a d’Anconia. We are expected to become one.” Francisco is expected to learn, to work, to earn the title of d’Anconia before he can work in the family company. This contrasts with Jim, who is given the title of President because it is tradition for the first-born son to take over. Jim did not have to prove himself, did have to earn it.
Jim v. Francisco
We see the difference between Jim and Francisco when Dagny thinks, “But Francisco seemed to laugh at things because he saw something much greater. Jim laughed as if he wanted to let nothing remain great.” Francisco has the ambition to create great things, while Jim only wants to destroy them.
Dagny
“They dislike me, not because I do things badly, but because I do them well. They dislike me because I’ve always had to best grades in class.”
In almost every class I’ve had, when a test or paper is passed back and the professor announces the highest grades, congratulating the students, there is at least one other person in the class that whispers something like, ‘I hate her,’ or ‘b*tch.’ The rest of the students give her ugly looks. Why? Why does it matter what the highest grade is? Why does it matter who made it and why does it make them hated? Those who cannot get the highest grade (or are not willing to work for it), degrade those who are.
Aristotle’s Theory of the Immovable Movers
Chapter four is titled ‘The Immovable Movers.’ I didn’t realize, until Francisco said it in this chapter, that it is a theory of Aristotle. It is a philosophical concept described “as the first cause that sets the universe in motion” (Wikipedia). Check out the Wikipedia article on the immovable movers, or check out this more complex article.
Riding on the brain
While discussing the San Sebastian Mines and the stockholders, Francisco tells Dagny, “I don’t give a damn about your brother James and his friends. Their theory was not new, it has worked for centuries. But it wasn’t foolproof. There is just one point that they overlooked. They thought it was safe to ride my brain, because they assumed that the goal of my journey was wealth…”
Jim and his friends staked large about of money on those mines, simply because it was Francisco who owned them. They didn’t question the investment, they didn’t ask any questions about the mines. They tried to use Francisco’s knowledge and success for their own monetary gain.
Quotes
“To him [Francisco], the Taggart children were not Jim and Dagny, but Dagny and Eddie.”
“Francisco, it was said, was to be the climax of the of the d’Anconias.”
“…Now the planners are asking their people not to blame the government, but to blame the depravity of the rich, because I turned out to be an irresponsible playboy, instead of the greedy capitalist I was expected to be. How were they to know, they’re asking, that I would let them down? Well, true enough. How were they to know?” Francisco talking to Dagny.
Possible Discussion Questions/Journal Entries/Things to Think About
1. While this chapter answers the questions about Francisco’s past and his relationship with Dagny, it asks many more questions. What is it that Dagny is not ready for? Why is he doing what he’s doing? What is the truth about the Vail scandal? If the Vail scandal is a lie, are the articles about his parties lies too? In this chapter, we see the many layers of Francisco. What questions were answered? What questions still need answering? What do think of Francisco? What are his motives?
2. Now that you know about Aristotle’s theory of the immovable movers, go back to chapter 4. Why do you think Rand named the chapter after the theory? How does the chapter and the theory work together?
3. Dagny distinguishes the men she met at the ball and Francisco. What is the difference? Why doesn’t she those men? How would you describe them? Are there are other characters that, like Francisco, don’t fit in with the men she met at the ball?
The English Student 