Thread: Ayn Rand

I have yet to read anything by her, but I've heard she is magnificant. Maybe I'll add it to the "optional" portion of the reading list for the class I'm taking this fall.

Can't say I'm a fan. Depending on what state you teach in I'd be careful and make sure you pre-read any of her works that you plan on giving to your students. Some of her "women don't belong in politics" and "homosexuality is evil" won't go over well in New England for example.

Originally Posted by SSCT

Can't say I'm a fan. Depending on what state you teach in I'd be careful and make sure you pre-read any of her works that you plan on giving to your students. Some of her "women don't belong in politics" and "homosexuality is evil" won't go over well in New England for example.

Not necessarily true. Some of the teachers in my school taught it in there classes...unfortunately those were the regular lit classes. (And yet people don't think you miss out on opprotunities in the AP ones. *shakes head*) It's not so much whether or not you teach it that can get some districts upset, it's HOW you teach it.

Originally Posted by Cerulean

It's not so much whether or not you teach it that can get some districts upset, it's HOW you teach it.

Well that is very true. Yet again I would stress being careful about using her work in your classes. I know for a fact that if I gave some of her works to my class to read that I'd have a dozen calls the next day from upset parents in regards to her anti-homosexual comments. Heck it wouldn't go over well with the kids at all either. I'm not saying not to use it. Just to be careful when assigning her work and to make sure you pre-read anything of hers that you give to your class.

Originally Posted by SSCT

I'm not saying not to use it. Just to be careful when assigning her work and to make sure you pre-read anything of hers that you give to your class.

I get what you're saying, honestly I do. However, who DOESN'T read the books before they assign them?! That's just asking for it no matter who you're teaching.

Hmmm...I have never read anything by her, but from the little description here, I can't say that it is my cup of tea.:?

The homosexuality thing isn't mentioned in Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead. I think that is mentioned in a different book of hers that isn't a novel, but rather, a book on her views regarding philosophy. Where most of her works get in trouble is the pro-"egoism" or "selfishness" thesis. A lot of political liberals hate her for that. She also draws a lot of heat from the religious right in regards to just following what you want to do. If you are a "free-market" capitalist and like economics, then her views are more amenable to you. A lot of writers are controversial, the best writers usually are. After all, isn't that what education is about? Learning about other viewpoints?

I read "Atlas Shrugged." It's certainly a good vehicle for discussion/debate on the "philosophy of objectivism," for higher level students.

I don't know that I'd use it, though. While her books will definitely spark debate in any classroom, she has developed a philosophical/political following that is, in my eyes, somewhat extremist. From that, of course, springs an equally extreme following of Ayn Rand philosophy "debunkers." This taints the whole thing for me. Instead of honest critical thought, and the creation of their own personal point of view, students need only google Ayn Rand to come up with an army of already penned and thought out arguments, ready to bring to any discussion. Then all they have to do is stick to the "talking points" of the side they chose.

Kinda like American politics, come to think of it.

If you choose to use it, I'm interested in hearing how it goes.

As far as literature, it's not very good. It might provoke some conversations, though.