Why did Eddie refer to himself as a "feudal serf"?

Question

In the beginning of the book, when Eddie Willars confronted Jim Taggart about the poor condition of the Rio Norte Line, they had the following exchange:> "Jim, what are you saying? Does it matter that no one blames us - when the road is falling apart?"James Taggart smiled; it was a thin smile, amused and cold. "It's touching, Eddie," he said. "It's touching - your devotion to Taggart Transcontinental. If you don't look out, you'll turn into one of those real feudal serfs."**"That's what I am, Jim."**Why did Eddie say that?

Answer 1

First off, Jim Taggart introduces this term into the conversation, and it is significant that he does so. Taggart is the face of a new type of businessman in the fabric Ayn Rand's narrative. He is Eddie Willars's boss for all intents an purposes, but this is a problem. He doesn't want to be the "boss" of those beneath him, at least in an economic sense. Taggart is often espousing beliefs that money is the root of all evil, so if Eddie is a "feudal serf" (a term for someone who is economically beneath a lord or master), then it shows a truth that Taggart doesn't want to face. He doesn't approve of economic masters...but he is one, and Eddie is his feudal serf. When Eddie responds, "That's what I am", it drives that point home for Taggart. Even worse, he is the economic master of a failing railroad line, and his "serf" Eddie is still devoted to him and the Rio Norte Line. It disturbs Taggart to know that he doesn't deserve Eddie's devotion.