The Fountainhead Study Guide

Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand, tells the story of Howard Roark, a brilliant and individualistic architect, who struggles to fulfill his vision in a world that devalues individual achievement as "selfish." Roark is contrasted with Peter Keating, an uninspired architect whose abilities, to cater to others' whims and backstab coworkers, allow him to rise to quick fame. Roark is also set in opposition to Gail Wynand, a newspaper mogul who shows individual talent but who has become cynical because of the world's oppression. Roark's love, Dominique, is also a cynical individualist, who suppresses her desires for Roark because she believes the world will ultimately destroy him. Roark's nemesis is Ellsworth Toohey, a power-hungry socialist who considers Roark dangerous for his integrity and ... (read more)