The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand: An Individual's Struggle against Social and Power Structures
The Fountainhead:
An Individual 's Struggle Against Social and Power Structures
Bohjum Bohjum
Consider for a moment if “Achievement of your happiness [was] the only moral purpose of your life” (Rand Atlas 806). Ayn Rand 's praise for personal pleasure guiding one 's morality is prominent in her novel, The Fountainhead. Many critics claim that this selfish philosophy is responsible for the moral decline of the American dream. As Darryl Schoon writes: “Ayn Rand, America’s premier doyenne of selfishness, is the patron saint of its antagonist, godless capitalism” (Schoon). However, as an ideology, portrayed in a fictional collective society one may argue that it is the only true virtue. In order to prove her point, she writes of a bustling New York of the 1920 's, where you have no thoughts of your own, but rather guess at the thoughts of your neighbour, who has no thoughts of his own, but guesses at the thoughts of his neighbour... “like the senseless infinity you get from two mirrors facing each other across a narrow passage” (Rand Fountainhead 426). Art columnist for the popular newspaper, The Banner, Ellsworth Toohey encompasses the spirit of this movement. In order to gain power, he belittles those around him. To quote his mission: “Don 't set out to raze all shrines – you 'll frighten men. Enshrine mediocrity, and the shrines are razed” (Rand Fountainhead 580). Most of the characters realize that their conformity allows them to gain wealth and influence, but they find that they are never truly happy as they sacrifice their individuality. Exhibit A: Peter Keating. Mediocre, greedy, and spineless, he climbs to the top of the social ladder by doing what makes everyone else happy. He achieves a high social standing, but is depressed by his personal life. Exhibit B: Gail Wynand. A “seismograph of public opinion”, his superficial media enterprise makes him a fortune (Rand Fountainhead 483). However, by catering to the majority, he kills his dignity. And then
An Individual 's Struggle Against Social and Power Structures
Bohjum Bohjum
Consider for a moment if “Achievement of your happiness [was] the only moral purpose of your life” (Rand Atlas 806). Ayn Rand 's praise for personal pleasure guiding one 's morality is prominent in her novel, The Fountainhead. Many critics claim that this selfish philosophy is responsible for the moral decline of the American dream. As Darryl Schoon writes: “Ayn Rand, America’s premier doyenne of selfishness, is the patron saint of its antagonist, godless capitalism” (Schoon). However, as an ideology, portrayed in a fictional collective society one may argue that it is the only true virtue. In order to prove her point, she writes of a bustling New York of the 1920 's, where you have no thoughts of your own, but rather guess at the thoughts of your neighbour, who has no thoughts of his own, but guesses at the thoughts of his neighbour... “like the senseless infinity you get from two mirrors facing each other across a narrow passage” (Rand Fountainhead 426). Art columnist for the popular newspaper, The Banner, Ellsworth Toohey encompasses the spirit of this movement. In order to gain power, he belittles those around him. To quote his mission: “Don 't set out to raze all shrines – you 'll frighten men. Enshrine mediocrity, and the shrines are razed” (Rand Fountainhead 580). Most of the characters realize that their conformity allows them to gain wealth and influence, but they find that they are never truly happy as they sacrifice their individuality. Exhibit A: Peter Keating. Mediocre, greedy, and spineless, he climbs to the top of the social ladder by doing what makes everyone else happy. He achieves a high social standing, but is depressed by his personal life. Exhibit B: Gail Wynand. A “seismograph of public opinion”, his superficial media enterprise makes him a fortune (Rand Fountainhead 483). However, by catering to the majority, he kills his dignity. And then
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