The Fountainhead

C. Choose the scene in The Fountainhead that is most meaningful to you. Analyze that scene in terms of the wider themes in the book.

The beginning sequence of The Fountainhead gives us much insight and paves the way for the character that Howard Roark is. Wanting to be free, but still carrying a sense of work ethic with him makes a strange man with much intellect and a distinct personality. Roark finds a way to express himself though architecture and shows originality even though he has been kicked out of a prestigious school, a feat that not many could accomplish. The beginning of this novel is truly a look into how Howard Roark feels and thinks about the world, even if the inner monologues are kept to a minimum. Also implementing irony, which helps to show the hypocrisy of certain aspects of society. This allows for Roark to display that he is not afraid to show what he truly believes regardless of any remarks he may receive from others.

            The first line gives a hint as to how his life is currently going. He is laughing at the dangers of the cliff and the freezing waters, almost as if he does not care. It is unknown whether he was attempting to jump or simply see if he could, but that further adds to the imagination that a reader could use. This scene is almost inviting and yet there is still a somber undertone to it. The decision is still left up to the reader and whether he/she would jump. While he may be viewed as mad this is a way for Roark to vent his emotions in a manner that seems fitting to him. Roark is searching for a method to cope with all of the hardships that he has had to go through during that day. This is a powerful scene because it is a universal image and feeling. Purposely placed by Ayn Rand in order to convey that even though her protagonist is quite cynical and pessimistic there is still some emotion left in him. Allowing for readers to be able to relate to the character, even if they do not like the way he acts or the manner in which he views the world. She finds a way to blend his lifestyle with beautiful scenery that he is placed in. acknowledging all the aspects of nature and commenting on them equally, yet still being perceived later on in the book as a jerk. Ayn Rand designed this scene to show the two contradicting sides of Roark as to try and show a near perfect character.

            Howard Roark is an intellectual, but is kicked out of his school for presenting extraordinary ideas. This is a look at how schooling can sometimes affect a wondrous mind in a different way. In school Roark is taught like everyone else and is expected to carry on like everyone else. However, this would be contradictory to the how Roark functions in society. Rand created this character to emphasize the indifference in people and how only a select few choose to get out of their comfort zone. The school environment that is created in this novel is another form of irony in that facts are learned, but personal wisdom is diminished. There is no room for a difference in a person’s own curriculum because it is different than what is already laid out for the students. This is a very significant event because it adds to the displeasure that Roark already carries. Even though he has been excelling in his studies all of his work is practically reduced to nothing simply because he was not staying the same line as everyone else. This is another key point to his overall character and how it affects others. By expressing himself Roark is doing what all architects should do, but he takes it a step further and continues to share his views even if they are not wanted. Yet Roark experiences what always happens to people when they decide to step out of the norm and try something new. He is constantly ridiculed and looked down upon by others for sharing his beliefs. Specifically by Mrs. Keating who in this scene symbolizes the education system and society. Showing fake emotions towards Roark and trying to show empathy, yet Roark does not allow her comments to get in the way of his mentality. Even though Mrs. Keating was showing some form of effort to help him during this dilemma Roark continues with his remarks, which he refuses to keep to himself. Acting as a representation of anti-conformity, which Roark continues to display throughout the novel. He also refuses to acknowledge the norm of how to dress to certain events. By dressing in regular attire to a meeting that has been deemed as important Roark has shown that just because someone is called a dean doesn’t mean that they are higher than him in any way.

            Howard Roark is a different kind of protagonist that was developed to show how things must not always be followed as everyone already does. This message is conveyed with a greater weight by the way that Roark was created and how he makes his decisions. He refuses to act in a way that does not suit him, almost acting as an idol for those who want to change. Howard Roark carries on this one mentality and refuses to change, which creates and even greater impact on the reader, simply because of the constant reminder of how Roark acts and how he makes decisions.