Success In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead

Objectivism in The Fountainhead Philosophy demands literature that can abet the understanding of social views. Without reflective literature, man cannot begin to comprehend the essential messages behind philosophy. One such philosophy, objectivism, is represented exceptionally by the novel, The Fountainhead. Through the use of compelling dialogue, Ayn Rand reveals her own feelings towards objectivism, and her thoughts towards conformity and independence.

While the American Dream embraces the individual ideal of success while simultaneously embracing the monetary definition of success, it creates a sense of shame for those whose idea of success does not comply with the accepted norms. Hothschild reminds us “the very process of assigning monetary worth reduces an array of values to a single thin one.” She believes that it is an inherent flaw in the ideal.

Fountainhead Book Report Roark and Keating Howard Roark and Peter Keating are two characters whose goals in life are similar, but the manner in which they go about achieving them differs greatly. Howard Roark, the protagonist of the story, is a man whose only passion is architecture and has wanted to be an architect since he was a boy. Peter Keating, the antagonist of the story representing everything Roark hates in society, is a follower in life and whose only prerogative is to get ahead in the world, no matter what the cost or who he has to use in the process. He too strives to be an architect, but his motives are more about money and power unlike Roark, who would work for free if he had to in order to build what he wants to see created as long as he was allowed to do things his way. Throughout the book, the success of the two men in their careers is compared to one another, as well as an analysis on how they go about achieving that success. While more obstacles may lie in the way of Roark's path than of Keating's, he consistently refuses to compromise his integrity no matter what benefits may come of it. Keating, on the other hand, has no concern about what means he has to use to accomplish what he's all about, money and power. In my paper, I will attempt to show how the differences in these two character's personalities affect how the world and individuals close to them perceive them and their actions. 2 Keating's mother, for example, is an overprotective, overbearing women with whom Roark and Keating both lived with while attending Stanton University. Keating's mother appears to be a woman that enjoys imposing her views on others by looking for weak spots in their personalities and creeping in through those venues. An example of this technique in action is displayed with her son Peter, with whom she consistently appeals to his desire for success in life by showing him what great things he could achieve if he would just do as she says, such as marry Dominique Francon, daughter of the owner of the best architecture firm in the country. Her ability to persuade Peter by imposing guilt on him and criticizing his methods of going about things is linked to a weakness in his personality; he really cares about what other people think.

The definition of success is ambiguous because every individual may interpret the term differently. However, the English Oxford Dictionary aims to define the word as, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit; a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity; or the outcome of an undertaking, specified as achieving or failing to achieve its aims”. This definition brings to mind iconic figures, like Bill Gates and Jim Carrey, which many regard as rich and famous. People may believe that accomplishment and financial stability go hand-in-hand. Conversely, these prominent individuals illustrate that hard work and determination, not increased wealth, can lead to happiness. True success is

Keating wins the competition and takes all the credit for himself, as no one can be the best but him (Rand 187). Later, when a normal person would feel guilty, Peter visits Roark and tries to pay for his silence about his help (Rand 192, 193). Roark gives the money back in exchange for Peter’s silence, as Roark hates the building and wants no one to know he had a hand in it (Rand 193). Keating gets very upset and starts screaming at Roark; Roark is impassive and tells him to relax (Rand 193, 194). Keating decides that he hates Roark (Rand 194). And this is where readers see the final major element of Peter’s character – fear. Keating exposes himself as weak, scared, and lesser in this exchange with Roark. Peter started as a happy, successful kid, until he succumbed to the same forces that have lost every monarch their rule – the love of power. Keating’s obsession with being the best has made him fear and hate those who may be better; this weakens him and drives him a bit crazy. And ultimately, his love of power will lead to the downfall of Peter

Professor Keatings doesn’t follow textbooks or the curriculum, but teaches from his heart. Unlike his conservative colleagues, Keating employs decidedly unorthodox teaching methods and strives to teach more than just his subject matter, which is poetry. His goal is to inspire his students to suck the bone of life to the marrow, to seize the day and to make their lives extraordinary. In Keating's class, you learn passion, courage, romanticism, and, of course poetry. You pass if you avoid conformity and find your own voice, and you fail if you neglect to live life to the fullest. The impact that professor Keatings has on his students is eternal. His spirit will probably always live in his students’ hearts.

Goals and Determination Who or what would get in the way of one completing one’s goals? Who would decide that one’s dreams are not important enough to overcome their own? When does one become not important enough to have one’s goals dominated by another’s? Ayn Rand’s novel ‘Atlas Shrugged’ shows that when one is not deterred by outside forces one may achieve anything through Dagny Taggart and her determination to save the Rio Norte Line.

Bob Dylan once wrote, "What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do" (Dylan). What exactly is success? Is being successful having a lot of money or looking beautiful or affluence? According to David Brooks, author of the article "A Nation of Grinders," success is defined by assiduity and the jubilation that it entails contrary to the creedence of modern American society. Society holds the creedence that material comfort and success are one in the same to be true and deems anyone who is wealthy or reknowned to have led a successful life. Brooks's assertion that success is comprised of the amassing of happiness through diligence and tenacity is accurate due to the fact that modern Americans who continue to bask in materialism find that they are ultimately unhappy, those that the media and society deem as successful are no happier or content than the average American, and despite the "rags to riches" tales of Horatio Alger and the multitude of self help books in circulation Americans remain discontent.

To most of us, they say they can spot success at first glance. Generally by the car one drives or how one is dressed. Some might see it by how healthy or how happy one feels. Merriam Webster's Dictionary states that success is “the fact of getting wealth, respect, or fame.” If one where to adopt this definition of success, one might go on to living a life of materialism. This mindset is deceitful and will only reward you with short term happiness, like a drug addict searching for a quick fix. For one to be ultimately successful, one must be able to overcome hardships and possess qualities like integrity, pride and patience which no amount of money in the world could buy. These qualities will make anyone strive in most, if not all the difficult obstacles one must face in life.

In the introduction to “The Road of Character”, we look at the struggle between a moral self and one of pursuing personal success. We are given an example of this by looking at two different résumés; virtues and eulogy résumés. Virtues represents the real world and striving for success and building your skills for jobs and contributing to that success. Eulogy is the moral and deeper parts of one. It represents your core, well-being, and most importantly, character. The author goes back and forth about the flaws of one resume and the benefits of another. Then he proceeds to discuss that Adam 1 represents the personal success and growth while Adam II is the moral life inside of someone. Adam 1 being external and Adam II being internal;