The philosopher Ayn Rand uses the novel The Fountainhead as a thinly veiled propagandist work through which she can put up an argument supporting her beliefs. Through the novel, she is able to influence the reader to agree with and support theses ideals. Within the revolutionary novel, what Rand believes to be the one true way to excellence for all of humankind is expressed in the main character, Howard Roark. The failures of human society, influenced most heavily by emotion and benevolence, is exemplified
Ayn Rand was by far one of the most opinionated authors or her time- she even created her own philosophy because she could agree with no other. Her writing style was the similar in fashion, as it was like no other books in circulation, and she even made a point of writing plain and dull plots and characters so that her ideals would shine through as the true interest in her pieces. She writes her non-fiction books just the same as her fiction novels- simple and to the point. She didn’t care who agreed
Howard Roark is the living embodiment of egoism that breaks social norms and will not recognize any authority except his own. He is a self-confessed egotist in The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand, with complete confidence in himself, his creations, and and actions. As an individualist, his noblest goal is productive achievement; his greatest concern “the conquest of nature.” He is constantly unwavered by the opinions or actions of others as they are completely irrelevant to him. As seen with his responds
strong." Ayn Rand's philosophy on objectivism shows her support to the individualist who will endure hardship to stay true to his belief of self-reliance. In her novel The Fountainhead, Rand applies her concept by using Howard Roark, the protagonist and individualist, who battles many adversaries, like the collectivist Ellsworth Toohey, in reach of his ultimate happiness.
One of the scarce exchanges between Toohey and Roark highlights the complex motif of having a central purposed of self by contrasting their ideals. In The Fountainhead Ellsworth Toohey, a power hungry second-hander seeks to feed off the emotion exerted from the blunt Mr. Roark. The idea of having a central purpose is the underlying force, and is reinforced by a multitude of virtues. The famously influential writer of One Small Voice Ellsworth Toohey, himself has been influenced by observing the
only a few. Argumentatively, the easiest way to gain power is to sell part of oneself, but that leaves one with an emptiness that cannot be filled. In Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead, the characters skirt around exchanging, stealing, and achieving power; however, the only character that truly achieves this power is the main character, Howard Roark. True power can only be gained without sacrificing oneself, therefore, the themes of power and integrity are presented throughout this novel in order