Fountainhead
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is an attack on conservative norms and structure. Ayn Rand expresses her views by creating a corrupt society where conformity and imitation surpasses creativity and innovation. Rand feels that one shouldn't compromise to society and let money and success be his driving force. The protagonist, Howard Roark, however rejects this society and is Ayn Rand's ideal being. She believes conformity to be what deteriorates humankind and that human progress would cease to exist without the Howard Roark's of the world. In the midst of the novel, Ayn Rand compares Roark with each and every other character, magnifying their flaws, which she believes to be the chief cause of decay. The main comparison lies between Roark and Keating. She supports her philosophy by creating Roark and Keating to act as foils who display her ideal values (which are surprising selfish) versus the norm, or what is selfless. Rand parallels and contrasts every aspect of the two characters. Keating and Roark have similarities in interests and background. They go to the same college, pursue the same field, even live in the same house. Their differences are in their values and personas. Keating sacrifices his self-respect for fame and needs
Thus, A life lead without fulfillment isn't a life. At his downfall, she feels that she has failed as an individual as well. He refuses to compromise with anything, which can be considered selfish and doesn't even care that he is rejecting mainstream values and ideals. He feels traditional artwork doesn't have a soul and that any architecture with traditional or historical style is mediocre or done poorly, without thought. His selflessness leads to his downfall, all he needed was to pursue his own goals and he wouldn't have been wallowing in self-pity. He displays this trait when he refuses to design the Manhattan Bank Building. He is the exact opposite of Roark who has absolutely no need of approval and is completely confident. His mother has manipulated him his entire life to achieving all of her goals. Time after time, his mother influences Keating. He knows himself to be dishonest, but other think he's honest and he derives his self-respect from the, second hand. Roark rejects the advice and continues to live his life based on what is fulfilling to him. No amount of money or awards can replace happiness and self-actualization. Even his mentor an idol advises him to conform to what the rest of humanity believes to be beautiful. He sees no reason for compromise and no point in contributing his designs and passion if it will just be altered.
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