2006-08-09 05:29:13 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
For me, the theme that resonated most was the struggle between being true to one's own inner vision and creativity and conforming to society's demands. The divergent paths are illustrated through the lives of Howard Roark (the creative genius who refuses to live by others' rules) and Peter (the hack who 'plays the game' and gets ahead by coasting on Howard's genius). Additionally, the book addressed the problems inherent in the welfare state and communism (the idea of each person's gifts being usurped by the 'people' or society). Ayn Rand escaped from communist Russia, and she had a very strong opinion about the impropriety of requiring a talented, hardworking individual to surrender the fruits of his/her labor to the talentless masses.
The Fountainhead is something of a precursor to her master work, Atlas Shrugged, which posits that if the talented people withdrew their services from society, society would crumble.
Both books are stunning literary and philosophical works. I read them both almost twenty years ago, and the ideals and ethics presented still echo in my head when I am not living up to my potential or living off the fat of others' labour.
2006-08-09 05:51:47 · answer #1 · answered by khtanktgrl 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Fountainhead has become an enduring piece of literature, more popular now than when published in 1943. On the surface, it is a story of one man, Howard Roark, and his struggles as an architect in the face of a successful rival, Peter Keating, and a newspaper columnist, Ellsworth Toohey. But the book addresses a number of universal themes: the strength of the individual, the tug between good and evil, the threat of fascism. The confrontation of those themes, along with the amazing stroke of Rand's writing, combine to give this book its enduring influence.
2006-08-09 05:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by eap 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is my favorite book ever!
it is about an architect Howard Roark and his struggle against society. He designs building in a new more modern style and yet the world fights his genius. The under lieing meaning is about the two types of people in the world, the creaters like Howard and the others who are 'second handers' and live off of the innovation of others. It is a great book, but some people do not like the messages it sends about the ego and self gain.
2006-08-09 06:08:37 · answer #3 · answered by lexie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On the surface, it's about an architect who's determined to build the structure he's envisioning and won't bow down to the corporate powers who might make his career easier, but would take away his freedom to design as he sees fit.
Ayn Rand, in her author's note, said the book is about egoism - the individual's right to pursue their own goals at the expense of others'. Her philosophy was that we all do better when we're looking out for ourselves instead of worrying about helping others - a way of life I find incredibly sad.
2006-08-09 09:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by poohba 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's about idealism and Ayn Rand did a good thing when she wrote that book. I read it in high school and to this day still love reading it.
2006-08-09 08:10:45 · answer #5 · answered by ~SSIRREN~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the search box and type it in or go 2 amazon.com and type fountianhead in at the search box on the site
2006-08-09 05:33:13 · answer #6 · answered by Riah B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't know, I'm going to find out later and I'll tell ya
2006-08-09 05:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by papiloghost 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋