This lecture will deal with the role of tragedy in Ayn Rand's fiction. Although Ayn Rand held what she called a "benevolent universe" premise, tragic themes and events play an important part in her literary works. Miss Minsaas will explore Ayn Rand's conception of tragedy from a literary point of view, and discuss how it relates to her basic philosophy. Recommended reading is The Romantic Manifesto and Aristotle's Poetics.