For example, when he was asked if he had any relatives, he said indifferently: ' I don't think I have any relatives. Howard Roark is self centered, self generated, self sufficient, and self motivated about all issues of life. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one (Pg 24 - 25).' Moreover, his incontrovertible individuality reaches more than just architecture. But the best is a matter of standards - and I set my own standards. That same day, when Dean of the Stanton Institute of Technology tries to persuade Roark to give up his radical ideas and go along with the traditional designs, the essence of Roark's character is revealed as he states, '. Through this acute contrast between Roark and Keating, and Roark's triumphant victory at the end, Ayn Rand clearly presents her philosophy of Objectivism.įrom the beginning of the novel, Ayn Rand insinuates the antithesis of the characteristics of Roark and Keating through an ironic event Roark is expelled on the same day that Peter graduates from Stanton with high honor. On the other hand, Peter Keating is a conformist who abandons his integrity and allows other people to dominate his life. Some of my favourite characters in the book are Peter Keating, Gail Wynand (the best), Ellsworth Toohey (never has a character been this interesting in his. Instead, Keating suffers for denying his own mediocrity and for thinking himself too good for a modest but happy life. Yet, he does not surrender his beliefs, but encounter all hardships with commitment to his own judgment and his integrity. Howard Roark is an innovative architect whose brilliant and revolutionary designs are rejected by people who are dogmatic and fearful of change. To present her philosophy, Ayn Rand create Howard Roark, a distinctive Ayn Rand hero, and his foil Peter Keating. Essay in response to question number Two and SixĪyn Rand wrote The Fountainhead to impart her impassioned philosophy of Objectivism, a belief that advocates political freedom and the rights of the individual.

Peter keating the fountainhead