“The Fountain Head” is definitely
one of the best books I’ve ever read. It tells the story of a few people in New
York of the 20s – 30s. There are 5 characters about whom a lot is written, and
these are main characters of the book. The characters are Howard Roark – a brilliant
architect. He keeps faithful to his beliefs and ideology. It’s a story of his
struggle against people and opinions that oppose that ideology.
Dominique Francon – Newspaper women.
Throughout the book she gets married with most of the main characters Keating, Gail
Wynand and Roark. Each marriage is, in my eyes, a symbol of a different union.
She magnifies the difference between the people she marries. Gail Wynand - one
of the most influential people in the city. Owner of a huge press empire, and
in particular of "The New York Banner" - the most widely circulated
paper in the city. Peter Keating - begins as an excellent architecture student
and rises as a famous architect. Eventually falls to pieces. Ellsworth Toohey -
a reporter and organizer of communities in unions.
Howard Roark’s strength lies in his
work. He an honest man, never distracted by the worldly entities, dedicated and
focused, behaving bluntly, mostly take him for being rude, clear mind, and
emotionally strong. Work gives him joy. He enjoys his work. On the other
hand, there is Peter Keating. He is one of the most realistic characters of the
book. Believe in success, but his way of achieving it is not so a likeable
method yet fondly practiced all over the world.
The main theme of "The
Fountainhead" is the struggle of the free mind, creativeness and
individualism (all symbolized in Roark) against the common opinion, "second-handers",
people who think only about what other people think. This main theme is very
important, as it is the philosophical main idea of the book and most of the
characters revolve around it. He is an independent architect, caring little
about the opinion of others. He builds in order to build, to create
"right" buildings. Dominique, Wynand and Toohey all
"understand" the theme, but differently. Wynand raises himself about
all others. He is a freak of power, caused by a difficult childhood. He
despises all "second-handers" and aspires to rule them, bending their
opinions at his will. Toohey is a very smart and sleek man and he understand
how to influence "second-handers", and builds a great supporting
around him, which isn't really explicitly felt as supporting by anyone.
Eventually, it becomes clear that he wants to take over Wynand Empire.
The narrative is straight and the
dialogues exchange between the characters of the book is what droves the plot
forward. Not at a single point the book disappointed me, but rather after every
chapter it made me curious that helped to read it with more eagerness. Rand’s
characterization is well thought and maintained throughout the book.
Objectivism is the professional theme of the novel. One might say that Love is
a sub theme but I did not see it is a sub theme.
The book enlightened me on the
subjects of Collectivism, Individualism, Altruism, and provoked the
thought about how society works is a rat race gone all wrong.
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