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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. When Peter feels the stress of the strike, where does he go with Katie?

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

3. What does Dominique want to do to Roark?

4. What happens when Roark and Dominique meet up at the Holcombe party?

5. What is Peter's condition when he visits Katie and insists they marry the following day?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the conflicting passions of Roark and Dominique result in an act of violence?

2. Explain how Snyte's idea of building by committee underscores the failure to deliver what the client wants.

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

4. After being fired from her job, Dominique begins a series of self-punishments. How does Peter Keating come into this picture?

5. Discuss the idea of "ownership" in the relationship between Dominique and Roark.

6. Toohey successfully manipulates Stoddard into hiring Roark to design and build his "temple." When it is finished, Toohey creates an uproar among the public by denouncing it as "blasphemy." Although Dominique regrets the public reaction, she still agrees to testify for Stoddard in the lawsuit he files. How does Dominique explain her actions?

7. Contrast the difference between Roark and Peter as they attend Kiki Holcombe's party.

8. 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?

9. Dominique writes that the Enright house is a "mockery to all the structures of the city." Most people believe that she is panning the building. What is her real meaning?

10. Discuss the irony of Peter going to Roark for help with his Cosmo-Slotnik competition design.

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

Write two or three pages explaining what parts of Rand's philosophy you agree with and which parts you disagree with. Discuss examples such as her depictions of religion, labor unions, corporate boards of directors, and capitalists like the owners of Monadnock Valley project.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 11, Roark goes to the building site of the Heller house. Write an essay about how Rand shows his feelings about the house.

(see the answer keys)

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