Roark In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand in her novel, The Fountainhead, evokes innovative thoughts within the readers who dare to question the ideas of selfishness and altruism that often lie outside of the popular views of morality. These ideas remain to be contradictory to many of her readers. Roark is the embodiment of multiple ideas and values that are collectively known to be immoral, yet his poised and determined nature makes his readers rethink their beliefs. For example, in chapter 18 the reader must decide whether or not they are going to agree or disagree with Roark’s stance on selfishness, a trait that is collectively known as negative. Roark’s poised courtroom speech is unsettling to those who can dissect his true meaning, unlike the jury who stated that Roark

This speech leaves the reader either motivated to be more selfish or disgusted by Roark’s ignorance of true altruism. While reading Roark’s courtroom speech the realization was made that believing every word that Roark said, no matter how opposite they were from the morals that practiced by the reader. Roark has a way of speaking that can easily challenge or replace his reader’s morals without them being conscious of it. Roark speaks directly, without hesitation or fear that he will upset his listeners. The way he speaks also translates to his work because his work is also made to fulfill his creative urges rather than the people the architecture will benefit. Roark states, “I intend to have clients in order to build” (26). In this statement, Roark explains his selfishness simply by stating that he builds not for the clients but for himself. Roark would rather break the law and blow up a building than find peace in

She believes that the world is the way it is just because that’s how it is; which is illogical to those of us who believe in a greater power and a purposeful life. One without a Christian background would live out Rand’s ideals and way of life because there is no greater purpose for altruism or morality. Much like C.S. Lewis’ beliefs laid out in Mere Christianity, our morality is at the base of who we are and who our creator is. Ayn Rand, being an atheist, has no reason to be moral; therefore, she pushes the line and makes her readers question the opposing views. To Rand, selflessness is compromising your ideals in order to achieve your goals. Selflessness is the purpose of life. Lewis states, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Ayn Rand seems to have an inaccurate reasoning behind her hatred of altruism because she denies the fact that someone looking to help others can also care about themselves. Rand uses Roark as her muse for all of her beliefs, so in the court case when Roark is spewing his beliefs, Rand is seeping out of the words as well. This shows that Roark’s views of selfishness translate over to Ayn