Planetside 2

"The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand is one of her largest selling books. The book as well as being a work of fiction also sets forth Rand's philosophy. The book is the story of an architect, Howard Roark and follows his life from his time in architectural college to his career as a modernist architect. 

The central philosophy of Ayn Rand in her book "TheFountainhead" is objectivism-the idea that individualism is the key to advancement of society.Coming to the United States from the Soviet Union in the early twentieth century, Rand was against communism, socialism, and everything they stood for.She despised all collectivist activities and organizations, including any form of religion. These ideas form the basis for the novel.

The Fountainhead takes place in New York City duringthe 1920's and 1930's. At the center of the story isthe field of architecture, but it is merely a vehiclefor Rand to transport her ideas. The main characterand "hero" is Howard Roark, a young architect and anidealist to the core. He is uncompromising in hisintegrity, regardless of the hardships he must endurebecause of it. He is in a battle against a society inwhich collectivism and altruism prevail. Mostimportantly, that society is not a made-up society,but resembles the actual social setup of 1920's and1930's America. 

Of the characters in the novel we have Peter Keating,Roark's fellow architect who is the very antithesis ofRoark.Peter Keating unlike Roark has no ambitions ofhis own-he doesn't want to be a brilliant architectbut only wants to be thought of as a brilliantarchitect. When Keating was young he wanted to be anartist but he soon gave up on his ambition because hedidn't have the courage to follow his dream. 

During the historical period of the 1920s through the1940s, architects were expected to emulate the designsfrom the past in their own buildings, using Roman,Gothic, or Renaissance styles. Roark, on the otherhand, designs buildings to be useful, and stressessubstance over useless ornamentation. He ignoreseverything his professors taught him in architectureschool, refuses to join the Architectural Guild ofAmerica, and is the outcast of the industry for his"impudent" refusal to conform or even compromise withmediocrity. His works are new and great, and thereforeunappreciated. Not that he cares, since he's notconcerned about what most people think of him.

Many critics of the book feel that as a novel it is afailure. This is because during the course of thenovel none of the major characters show any variation.Many feel that the character of Howard Roark isportrayed unrealistically. This is probably becausethroughout the novel even in the most dire situationsRoark is non chalant regarding his own fate and caresonly about his "vision". His involvement in thefulfillment of his ambitions is complete. 

Another very interesting character in the book isEllsworth P. Toohey. Toohey is a left wing art critic.He believes that the purpose of man is to "serve hisfellow man". He feels that a person should give up hisown dreams and ambitions in order to follow dreamsthat will help the society.  This brings him intodirect opposition with Roark who will never under anycircumstance give up his ambition. Ayn Rand in thisbook exposes the many dishonest dealings that go onunder the umbrella of collectivism. Dishonestappoinments for redundant posts, unnecessaryexpenditure on housing projects and corruption.

Another very major(and very interesting) character isGail Wynand. Gail Wynand is a newspaper proprietor whocame up in life from very humble beginnings. He is theowner of a populist newspaper who in usual tabloidfashion prints what the public wants to read. Eventhough publicly  he has "sold out" privately he is aman of solid integrity. He hopes that one day with hisenormous power he will be able to "enlighten" themasses. He ultimately pays the price and his ultimateambitions are not realized.  

To frustrate the plans of Howard Roark, Ellsworth Toohey lays many plans. One of this is giving thecontarct of designing a "Temple to humanity" to Roark.Roark causes massive scanadal by placing a nudesculpture of his lover as the centarl idol in thetemple. Ayn Rand by this incident implicitly throws upa question-"In society who are the custodians ofartistic values-Is it society or is it the artist?". 

Dominique Francon who is the lover of Howard Roark inthe book is an extremely complex character whoparadoxially tries to "save" Roark by destroying him.She feels the odds against Roark are stacked too high,that he cannot possibly win. So she does everything inher power to sabotage his plans and make him give uphis dreams.

In the final climax of the novel, Roark is brought totrial for detonating an apartment block. The evidenceis heavily against him and he has no chance of beingacquitted. However the jury and the public recognizeRoark for what he is-an uncommon specimen of humanitywho will never compromise on his ideals. They reverehim for this and he is pronounced not guilty.

I personally feel that instead of reading this bookfor the sake of the story we should instead try toanalyze the philosophy behind it. Ayn Rand gives ussome excellent perspectives on the eternal debate ofthe Individual vs. The Society. What is moresacrosanct-"The fulfilment of the individual's needsor the will of the society?" According to Rand thefulfilment of the individual ambitions will benefitthe society more than a collectivist approach toprogress. I would like to recommend this book toanyone who wants to know how the society subtly butsurely convinces the human spirit to submit and thepossibilities which fulfilment of one's ambition inthe end are more meaningful than any measure ofperceived success.