Fountain Head

A detailed Summary of Fountain Head

Essay in response to question number Two and Six

Ayn Rand wrote The Fountainhead to impart her impassioned philosophy of Objectivism, a belief that advocates political freedom and the rights of the individual. To present her philosophy, Ayn Rand create Howard Roark, a distinctive Ayn Rand hero, and his foil Peter Keating. Howard Roark is an innovative architect whose brilliant and revolutionary designs are rejected by people who are dogmatic and fearful of change. Yet, he does not surrender his beliefs, but encounter all hardships with commitment to his own judgment and his integrity. On the other hand, Peter Keating is a conformist who abandons his integrity and allows other people to dominate his life. Through this acute contrast between Roark and Keating, and Roark's triumphant victory at the end, Ayn Rand clearly presents her philosophy of Objectivism.

From the beginning of the novel, Ayn Rand insinuates the antithesis of the characteristics of Roark and Keating through an ironic event; Roark is expelled on the same day that Peter graduates from Stanton with high honor. That same day, when Dean of the Stanton Institute of Technology tries to persuade Roark to giv

As Roark's essence of character was perpetual, so did Peter Keating's, only in an opposite way. He abandons his dream of being a painter to becomes an architect, because his mother told him so. He deserts his true love Catherine to marry Dominique, because Dominique's social status impress other people. As for architecture, he copies from the traditional designs or asks Roark to design for him. Unlike Roark, Keating heavily relies on the opinion of others for everything he does. As a result, though he has succeeded both in wealth and in status, he can not find happiness. This is evident as he realizes that he can not stand on his own judgment even for his true love:

Keating wanted to hear from Roark that he has succeeded, and that he is better than Roark. And when he realized that Roark can never be broken, he rationalizes himself that he is superior to Roark, as long as the public believes that he is. However, Roark's brilliance is soon recognized by few people and people started to appreciate his work. And to the final blow to Keating, Roark wins the Cortlandt trial. Keating has now lost everything he had worked for. And he has nothing left in him, because he lost his self. On the other hand, Roark, as he always believed, was proven to be the best architect.

Keating's only mission in life is to have other's respect, especially Howard Roark's. Although he would not state it in public, Keating respects and at the same time, hates Roark more than anyone. For example, when he could not choose between a scholarship to the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and a job offer from Francon and Heyer, he comes to Roark for guidance. And Roark says: " If you wa

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Approximate Word count = 1139
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History