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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Before his death, what warning does Cameron give Roark?

2. What is the unexpected coincidence involving Katie Halsey?

3. Why is it difficult for Peter Keating to decide what to do after graduation?

4. Why does Roark find himself unable to get a job?

5. What happens when Roark shows up uninvited at Dominique's door?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ellsworth Toohey praises Francon's Melton Building because of its horizontal lines as opposed to the vertical lines of Cameron's skyscrapers. In what way does he think the horizontal lines are superior?

2. What is meant by the description of the Stoddard temple as being "like a corpse hacked to pieces and reassembled?"

3. Dominique and Roark meet as strangers without names. Like the moth to the flame, Dominique is drawn back again and again to watch Roark at the quarry. Discuss the significance of Roark's domination of Dominique.

4. In 1892, Henry Cameron was the most promising architect of his day, having introduced the idea of the skyscraper. One year later, the popular classical designs of the Columbian Exposition of Chicago ruined Cameron's career. How does Ayn Rand use this to introduce the ideas of individualism versus socialistic dogma?

5. Identify and explain two events from Toohey's childhood which began a pattern of behavior he uses in adulthood.

6. Discuss Dominique's idea that beautiful things should not exist in the real world.

7. Discuss Roark's idea that architectural form should follow function.

8. Discuss Rand's use of premonition in chapter 12 when Katie shows up at Peter's apartment.

9. At the beginning of the novel, Howard Roark stands naked on a granite cliff preparing to dive into the waves below. Describe how this scene sets the stage for the entire novel.

10. Considering the number of jobs Roark did not get or turned down, explain the difference between Roark and Peter Keating.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In two or three handwritten pages, discuss Mrs. Keating as a mother. When she was hurrying Roark out of her rooming house to see the Dean, Rand writes that it was "as though she feared the decision [to expel Roark from Stanton] might be reversed." Why would she fear that? What does that tell you (1) about her character, and (2) what she really thought about Peter's ability?

Essay Topic 2

As the book opens, Roark is poised to dive into the ocean. He is alone on a granite cliff and looking down at the crashing waves below. What is feelings can be derived from that picture about (A) Roark, (B) the granite cliffs, (C) the water below. Describe what each of those elements means to you.

Essay Topic 3

Pretend you are a book reviewer for a newspaper. Write your review and critique of "The Fountainhead."

(see the answer keys)

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