I'm a Bookworm

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My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute. –Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand was a Russian novelist who believed very much in the ideas of capitalism & self-determination. Her personal philosophy was called Objectivism, and it still influences many readers today around the world.

This book has four main characters: Howard Roark, Peter Keating, Dominique Francon, and Gail Wynand. Howard Roark is the story’s protagonist — a brilliant architect who wants to make modern buildings that no one understands or accepts. He stays true to his individual vision throughout the book, despite all the people who do not agree with him and all the business he loses (this represents the triumph of the individual over the collective.) Peter Keating is another architect who has the opposite strategy– he is not an original artist, but he ingratiates his way to success by knowing the right people. Gail Wynand is the owner of a newspaper who loves Roark’s work. Dominique is the woman who all the men love and who, ultimately chooses to be with Roark because she believes in his vision, genius and artistic integrity.

I loved the way this book was written. At the time of reading it, I did not agree with the principles of Objectivism, but I do believe in adhering to one’s artistic principles. I’m not sure what my own personal philosophy is now… but I am certainly glad I read The Fountainhead, as I do believe that reading all kinds of material from all different kinds of authors helps in the the determination of one’s moral stance.

–The Reader