Ayn Rand's novels dramatize grand themes like individualism versus collectivism, the nature of the ego, and the role of the mind in man's existence. Yet, as she said, "what is important is not the message a writer projects explicitly, but the values and view of life he projects implicitly."

In this lecture, Mr. Boeckmann discusses some of the values and value-premises implicit in Ayn Rand's fiction, with special emphasis on values relating to romance and productive work. He explains how the projection of these "extra-thematic" values depends on, yet leaves undisturbed, the primary thematic dramatizations. The final result is integrated works of literature suffused with Ayn Rand's values. This result, and the method behind it, in itself projects metaphysical premises of crucial importance.