Essentially an exploration of the Russian-born American author, Ayn Rand’s
philosophy, and objectivism, her novel, ‘The Fountainhead’, holds a well-deserved spot
in the architectural world. Although criticized harshly for a number of its literary
aspects, the world-famous work emphasizes that integrity is one of the distinguishing
qualities between individuals who have retained their sense of self and others who have
succumbed to the ideas of equality, acceptance and altruism. This central idea is
presented to the reader via the allegorical story of the archetypal “ideal
person/architect,” Howard Roark, who epitomizes the tenets of Rand’s philosophy.
Rand recounts this story through the depiction of four different characters, Keating,
Toohey, Wynand, and Roark, whose lives and choices represent logical variations on
her philosophical and psychological themes. As opposed to Roark, Keating is a
conformist and surrenders his judgment for acceptance and success. Toohey is a power
seeker with no tangible talent other than rhetoric, and Wynand, the only sound
character in the novel, is a publisher of vulgar tabloids, yet possesses the innate essence
to appreciate humanity’s noblest achievements. Architecture serves as an all-encompassing metaphor, and the protagonist’s architectural views represent his
philosophy of life, just as buildings designed by Peter Keating and other characters
represent their philosophies. The novel emphasizes that the basic principle embodied
by the architect is inscribed in their work, while also reminding the reader that each
individual continues to exist with such an absolute principle.
Keywords: Achitecture, Ayn rand, Altruism, Conformism, Egoism, Ethics, Ethical selfishness, Ideal human, Integrity, Individualism, Morality, Objectivism, Pioneering, Self-expression, Socialism, Visionary.
