The Fountainhead: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Fountainhead," a novel by Ayn Rand, explores the lives and philosophies of several major characters, primarily within the field of architecture. At the center is Howard Roark, a nonconformist architect who embodies individualism and creative integrity, refusing to compromise his vision for commercial success. His contrasting classmate, Peter Keating, represents the antithesis of Roark, achieving career success through manipulation rather than talent, ultimately leading to his own professional deterioration.
The narrative also introduces Ellsworth M. Toohey, a manipulative columnist who exploits the insecurities of others to gain power, particularly targeting Roark for his exceptionalism. Gail Wynand, a newspaper publisher initially disillusioned by society, attempts to corrupt Roark but eventually recognizes his resilience, though he struggles with his own moral compromises. Dominique Francon, the novel's heroine, oscillates between a desire to protect Roark and a disdain for a society she believes is unworthy of his talent, leading to complex relationships with both Roark and Keating.
Supporting characters like Henry Cameron, Roark's mentor, and Steven Mallory, a sculptor who shares Roark's values, further enrich the narrative by emphasizing the themes of artistic integrity and the struggle against societal pressures. Overall, the character dynamics in "The Fountainhead" illuminate the broader philosophical debates about individualism versus collectivism and the nature of success in a conformist society.
The Fountainhead: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ayn Rand
First published: 1943
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City
Plot: Social morality
Time: 1922–1930's
Howard Roark, the hero, a maverick architect apparently modeled on Frank Lloyd Wright. He refuses to compromise with mediocrity and conventional fashion, insisting on pursuing his personal vision whatever the cost. The story follows Roark from his architectural school days to the novel's climax, his trial for dynamiting a public housing project whose builder had compromised his design. Roark's credo is, “I don't build to have clients; I have clients so I can build.”
Peter Keating, Roark's classmate in architectural school. The two are antithetical personalities. Keating rises in the architectural profession through manipulating people rather than through creative design. His yearning for commercial success leads him to play up to anyone who can assist his career, and several times he begs for Roark's assistance. The result is the atrophy of what talent he had to begin with. By the novel's end, he has become an empty shell.
Ellsworth M. Toohey, the influential columnist on architecture for the Banner newspaper and the novel's villain. Toohey's ambition is to advance his power by exploiting the weaknesses of others. Without any talent of his own, he exploits his position to stir up popular hostility against the superior few in the name of “selflessness.” Accordingly, Roark becomes his number one target.
Gail Wynand, newspaper publisher who turned the Banner into a crime-and-scandal sheet to appeal to the vulgar masses. A disappointed idealist, he first tries to corrupt Roark to confirm his pessimism about human nature. He is won over by Roark's spirit and becomes his defender. Toohey, however, has so undermined Wynand's position that he is forced to backtrack from his support for Roark. Although Wynand regains his wealth and power, his doing so at the expense of his integrity leaves him a tragically broken man.
Dominique Francon, the novel's heroine. The daughter of a financially successful architect who is Peter's first boss, she despises her father's mediocrity and is cynical about the possibility of anybody having sufficient backbone to resist the pressures for conformity. She first allies with Toohey to destroy Roark because his work is “too good” for a corrupt society: she later tries to domesticate Roark via sexual seduction. She marries Peter Keating, then Gail Wynand. Her efforts to dominate Roark backfire, and at the novel's conclusion they are married.
Henry Cameron, an embittered and neglected architectural genius apparently modeled on Frank Lloyd Wright's mentor, Louis Sullivan. He is the one person whom Roark admires.
Austen Heller, a popular newspaper columnist. He is Toohey's opposite in values. He gives Roark his first major commission, is responsible for bringing Roark's work to public attention, and remains Roark's friend and defender through the novel.
Steven Mallory, a sculptor who becomes one of Roark's closest friends because of their shared respect for the talented individual. Even more than Roark, he suffers professionally because of his independence. His statue of a nude Dominique is a masterpiece symbolizing the indomitability of the human spirit.