An exposition of the author’s anticommunist philosophy of “objectivism,” The Fountainhead tells of the struggle of genius architect Howard Roark—said to be based on Frank Lloyd Wright —as he confronts conformist mediocrity. In Rand’s world, suppression of individual creativity is the greatest evil.
Did Ayn Rand know Frank Lloyd Wright?
The two finally met at length after The Fountainhead was published (though before Wright had read it), and in time they became friends: Rand and her husband visited Wright at his home, Taliesin, in 1945.
Who is The Fountainhead based on?
Who was Ayn Rand ? Ayn Rand was a Russian-born American author and philosopher. Rand authored two best-selling novels, The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957). Her novels were especially influential among conservatives and libertarians from the mid-20th century.
Why Does Dominique want to destroy Roark?
The thought that a man like Roark needs society in order to build pains Dominique, and she tries to destroy him before the rest of the world can. Yet Dominique wants to fail in her bid to destroy Roark, because if she fails it means absolute good and genius can survive even in an evil world .
Who was Howard Roark based on?
In writing the character of Howard Roark, Rand was inspired by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright .
Why was The Fountainhead banned?
Critics have challenged and condemned The Fountainhead, citing that it endorses rape and portrays a godless and perverse world .
Is Howard Roark a hero?
Howard Roark, fictional character, the architect hero of The Fountainhead (1943), the first best-selling novel by Ayn Rand.
Why did Dominique marry Keating?
Dominique tells Roark that she will punish herself by marrying Keating because she refuses to be happy in a world that does not appreciate Roark. Roark tells her that he loves her and will not stop her.
Why is it called The Fountainhead?
The Fountainhead is a 1943 novel by Ayn Rand. It was Rand’s first major literary success and its royalties and movie rights brought her fame and financial security. The book’s title is a reference to Rand’s statement that “man’s ego is the fountainhead of human progress” .
Why did Roark destroy Cortlandt Homes?
He does not care what the world does with his finished buildings but insists on finishing his buildings as he wishes. The Cortlandt complex perverts Roark’s ideas before they have been implemented. Unable to tolerate this kind of compromise, Roark must destroy the mediocrity to maintain his integrity .
What is the message of Atlas Shrugged?
The theme of Atlas Shrugged, according to Ayn Rand, “ is the role of the mind in man’s existence .” It is the mind, the story shows, that is the root of all human knowledge and values — and its absence is the root of all evil.
What does the phrase Who is John Galt mean?
“Who is John Galt?” The book’s opening line, “Who is John Galt?”, becomes an expression of helplessness and despair at the current state of the novel’s fictionalized world. The book’s protagonist, Dagny Taggart, hears a number of legends of Galt, before finding him.
What does the fountain head mean?
1 : a spring that is the source of a stream . 2 : principal source : origin.
Does Dominique marry Roark?
Dominique’s marriage to Peter Keating is one of deliberate self-torture. She has been shown by the public time and time again that they will reject Roark, her ideal man, and embrace Keating, a man she views as the worst society can offer. In marrying him, she is making a conscious...
Why does Ellsworth hate Roark?
As long as there are people like Roark out there in the world, then Toohey cannot have complete and total submission to his collectivist worldview. Roark is a threat, he’s a wild card , he can’t be controlled, his mind can’t be molded, and so Toohey must bring him down to succeed in his own devious schemes.
Why does Dominique agree to testify against Roark when he is sued by Stoddard?
Though testifying for the plaintiff, Dominique makes clear her appraisal that Roark designed a masterpiece of which society is unworthy. The Temple should be torn down, she argues, in order to save it from society. Stoddard wins the case.
