Ayn Rand’s dystopic science-fiction novella occurs at some unspecified future date. Mankind has entered another dark age as a result of what Rand saw as the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned — when it’s allowed to take place at all — and the idea of individuality has been eliminated. As is definitely common in her function, Rand draws a clear distinction between the ‘socialist/communal’ ideals of equality and brotherhood as well as the ‘effective/capitalist’ values of achievement and individuality.