This is my first review , so just using the hints section by MouthShut for reference!
What made me read this book :
I just happened to browse through some of the books in ’’Book Paradise’’ shop and caught hold of a book ’’ The virtue of selfishness’’. Well, is there any ’’ virtue’’ for selfishness too!!, I kept thinking the same.The author was Ayn Rand. Then browsed some books by the same author , caught hold of ’’Atlas Shrugged’’. In the Introduction, the author says...She tries to elaborate on what she intended in ’’The Fountainhead’’.. There I go, I was with the book.
Analysis
The Theme:
The Novel gives an account of the life of a so called ’’Selfish’’ architect , Howard Roark, who believes that ’’ A house is to live in , not to look on’’.The difficulties faced by such people of genuine ideas , about their work , life and the pressures and opinions thrust upon by peers and the masses. In the end the author emphasizes that , this virtue pays and can take to greater heights only if the protagonist has the will and confidence that he is right no matter what the world says. ’’Sab ki suno , Dil ki karo’’ or rather ’’ Kisiki bhi na suno, jo sahi hai wohi karo’’ is the theme.
THE NOVEL:
Howard Roark is an architect of immense talent and hence is hated by a section of his class during his studies. The only ’’disadvantage’’ with him is that he listens to no one.What he feels right , he does it .’’ Never compromise on one’s values’’ is his motto. He lives with his friend Peter Keating.Who is good at architecture too...however lacks originality and so does well with all the exisiting structural aspects of architecture and hence ’’liked’’ by most of them including the academics of the college. The novel compares and contrasts these two people. Who wins and who does not.. the difficulties faced by Howard Roark in this world where everybody looks upon Originality and says ’’this is not gonna work for sure’’ becoz this was not done before. On the other hand, Peter Keating adjusts the best of Howard Roark’s skills with those of the existing popular designs and produces second hand designs with the assistance of Howard and becomes popular to the masses and the media. How long can a person stand on other’s shoulder?... As years fade, one person named Gail Wynand who runs ’’The Banner’’ a popular tabloid because it gives what people want , not what people need comes to the rescue of Howard and recruits him for his real estate buildings.. The author also focuses on the part played by the media and how media opinion is reflected by the masses and why it is not the other way round.
THE CHARACTERS:
Almost all characters have substance.. Ellsworth Toohey’s character is a typical of the press columnists today.His characters starts to be a character for the masses and ends up with a twist... Dominque’s character as Howard Roark’s love interest is refreshing and a typical of American women!!. Above all it’s Howard Roark and Gail Wynand’s character which make the novel a succes.
TO END :
The novel is innovative in style just like it’s lead character and has originality.This serves as a model for people to pursue what their mind says and stick to it. Be it chosing a career or leading a lifestyle. Never let bogged down by others opinion.
Success comes to those who stand and wait and sometimes that wait can be longer!!!
A must read for every youngster!!!