The Similarities Between Ayn Rand And The Main Heroine In The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand author of The Fountainhead and well-known philosopher was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on February 2, 1905. As a young child growing up in Communist Russia, Rand always felt opposed to the collectivism of Russian culture and identified herself as a European writer. In creating her novels, Round sought to exult her views of man and life. In the fountainhead, Howard Roark; an architect who is selfish yet benevolent, portrays Rand’s idea of objectivism and the ideal man. In contrast to the idea that nothing can be known in absolute certainty and must be guided by instinct or faith, objectivism holds the idea that one can achieve absolute certainty, but only if there is use of reason. In other words, it’s essential that one must learn to pursue personal happiness through self interest and hard work to live a life well lived. Howard Roark portrays exactly this ideal man, introduced to the story as an unsuccessful, unmotivated, and uncompromising architect students’ drop-out. Roark begins to come to the realization that to ever truly be happy he must pursue his own vision of architectural design. Through self interest and hard work, Roark becomes a successful architect and fills his position as an advocate for Rand’s ideal man.

Ayn Rand’s rebellious rhetoric convinces the reader that the only true virtue is selfishness and that we should abide by that standard and live for ourselves. Rand’s life in the Soviet Union and her background provides the reader an understanding of her unique philosophy and how it reflects onto her literature. The setting and location are one of the first similarities noticed between character; Howard Roark and author; Ayn Rand.

Before becoming a successful philosopher and author, Rand lived the duration of her adolescence in the Soviet Union. Opposed to the collectivism of Russian culture, Rand identified as a European writer. During the 1920’s, Rand was granted permission to leave Russia on the account of visiting relatives in the United States. Rand arrived in New York in 1926 and soon after began to pursue her career as a screenwriter. Rand struggled for several years in odd writing jobs, but eventually landed her first production screenplay. Similar to Howard Roark’s story, a genius architect student who feels pressured by the school’s narrow-minded view of traditional architecture. Faced with the decision of leaving all that is known to pursue personal happiness “‘But you see’, said Roark quietly, “I have let’s say sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m condemning myself to sixty years of torture’”. Soon after this ongoing conversation with the dean, Roark decides that the best option is to drop-out. To free himself from the weight of societal standards, Roark moves to New York to begin his career, eventually becoming a successful architect.Ayn Rand’s main goal when writing

The Fountainhead was the portrayal of Howard Roark, but the correlation between her philosophy and the meaning of the book show undeniable similarity. Although Rand claims that the intention ofThe Fountainhead was not to enlighten reader’s about objectivism, the characters share objectivist values and the plot was designed toLuman 3inform the reader about the virtue of selfishness. “It is important to remember that the only direct, introspective knowledge of man anyone possesses is of himself”. The narration of the novel is told in third person omniscient, allowing the reader to comprehend each of the characters developing thoughts. This narration is essential to understanding the depths of selfishness, to furthermore, abide by its standards and live for ourselves. Connecting with Rand’s philosophical moral convictions, the premise of the ideal man is another similarity correlating with Rand’s beliefs. The ideal man is a man of great self conviction; a person who believes that man’s first right on Earth is to his ego, his first duty to himself, redefining the meaning of egoism. “Since man’s character is the product of his premises, I had to define and present a rational code of ethics”. Both Ayn Rand and Howard Roark fit the description of the ideal man, as both seek to fight the conventional standards of society. In doing so, they manage to set their own standards, exceeding their potential, living their lives as they should be lived.

The finally similarity is in regards to the blunt and unemotional style of the writing and tone in The Fountainhead. The guiding principles of objectivism see emotion as a weakness, while the emotionless are seen as strong individuals, focused on pursuing the virtue of selfishness. Howard Roark lacks emotional turmoil which is why he’s considered a man-worshipper; a man dedicated to the exaltation of man’s self esteem. “It is in a sense, with the meaning and intention, that I would identify the sense of life dramatized in The Fountainhead as man worship”. The text throughout the novel is perceived as more factual, categorizing The Fountainhead itself as a piece of philosophical literature. This philosophy being objectivism, informing the reader of its principles through Howard Roark and other characters.

Ayn Rand’s intention for The Fountainhead was to inspire a new way of life and to make people question if they are living to their full potential. Having lived in the Soviet Union, unable to express personal beliefs and values. Rand believed not in a God, but in a man. A man who possesses a great amount of self conviction, believing that the first obligation is to oneself. Howard Roark embodied exactly the man that Rand believed in and strived to foresee life as Roark did. Ayn Rand’s purpose was not to enlighten others about objectivism, but rather to depict life as it should be live.