All water can be traced back to the source or the fountainhead. Fountainhead definition is a spring that is the source of a stream. But the fountainhead is not fundamentally about politics. When she was writing the book that was to become the fountainhead, rand used a different title. An exposition of the authors anticommunist philosophy of objectivism, the fountainhead tells of the struggle of genius architect howard roarksaid to be based on frank lloyd wrightas he confronts conformist mediocrity. Few films have ever so explicitly expressed a political ideology. Fountainhead means chief source of something, and the summary quote of the book is mans ego is the fountainhead of human progress. Definition of fountainhead from the collins english dictionary. The novel celebrates reason, individualism, productivity, and creativity. The fountainhead 1943 is a novel by ayn rand about an idealistic young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision. With characters that are gripping, settings that are par excellence, and dialogue that displays incredible depth, the book is a well rounded synthesis about the nature of individualism and what it means. Having been previously warned of this somewhat insane, entirely selfish philosophy, i entered the book with an indisputable bias. Howard roark is expelled for his refusal to complete exercises in classical design.
Fountainhead definition of fountainhead by the free dictionary. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 720 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. The fountainhead part i, chapters 15 summary and analysis. Book summary the fountainhead takes place in the united states, mostly in new york city, during the 1920s and 1930s. The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by ayn rand, who also wrote the screenplay adaptation. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of the fountainhead. Sep 05, 2018 rands novels particularly the fountainhead 1943 and atlas shrugged 1957 offer an original conception of what a moral life looks like, one that is demanding and uncompromising, but which thoroughly rejects the ideal of selfsacrifice. The fountainhead, published in 1943, was ayn rands first great success. The theme of the fountainhead is the contrast of, and conflict between, persons of independent functioning and those of dependent functioning. A summary of symbols in ayn rands the fountainhead. Although rands screenplay was used with minimal alterations, she.
I do not mean to imply that i knew, when i wrote it, that the fountainhead would remain in print for twentyfive years. Howard roarke stands as the embodiment of ayn rands objectivist philosophy, or at least the individualist idea. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. The fountainhead, wrote ayn rand, started in my mind as a definition of a new code of ethics the morality of individualism. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the fountainhead and what it means. Smith goes to washington to dave, most mainstream hollywood films that deal with politics have delivered a populist message. A fountainhead is the source from which a stream of water emerges. Many who dislike the book despise rands philosophical system, objectivism. These are some of the reasons why, for me, the most profound personal meaning of this new, anniversary edition is the fact that its jacket carries the reproduction of a painting by frank. Rands unique philosophy, objectivism, has gained a worldwide audience. The literary achievement of the fountainhead the atlas society. If im asked whats the best book, in my opinion, i can never name one book, i name a group that i think are the best. It chronicles the struggles of the innovative architect howard roark in his effort to achieve success on his own terms.
Free download or read online the fountainhead pdf epub book. This could be the summary of the fountainhead, what i feel is ayn rands best novel. Pdf the fountainhead book by ayn rand free download 720. The fountainhead is a story about characters set in more or less realistic social contexts. The fountainhead book summaries and study materials. In her novel, the fountainhead, ayn rand explores the struggle between the individual and society. Well, our protagonist howard roark lives an original life of own choosing, inspired by the idea of individualism. It chronicles the struggles of the innovative architect howard roark in.
Novel by ayn rand published in 1943 centering on the struggles of a young architect named howard roark. The book follows his battle to practice modern architecture, which he believes to be superior, despite an establishment centered on traditionworship. The film does not delve into unpleasant details such as rands affair with nathaniel branden or the expulsion of heretics from her ideological circle. He goes to new york to seek a position with the recently eminent but now reviled modernist designer henry cameron.
However, when reading the first chapter of the book, i began to feel a connection with the characters. Jun 30, 2010 but when common literary terms are applied to so individual a book as the fountainhead not a page of which could be mistaken for anything other than a page of the fountainhead, by ayn rand those common terms lose much of their usefulness. The fountainhead is a 1949 american, blackandwhite drama film from warner bros. Fountainhead and which has to be understood if one wants to understand the causes of its lasting appeal. Both roarkypoo and rands darling individualism are. Fountainhead definition of fountainhead by the free. The fundamentals of her philosophy are put forth in three nonfiction books, introduction to. The books title is a reference to rands statement that mans. The fountainhead has been described in many ways, but at its core it is about the individual vs. The fountainhead refers to the source of a stream of flowing water. The book is about the conflict between those who think for. If the whole world tells you youre wrong, but you are convinced youre right, then ignore the world.
In her first notes for the fountainhead, ayn rand describes its purpose as a defense of egoism in its real meaning. It presents the idea that mans ego is the fountainhead of human progress. This idea of living a secondhand or conventional life crops up near the end of the book in a scene with roark, the protagonist, and his frenemy gail wynand. As fresh today as it was then, here is a novel about a heroand about those who try to destroy him. After the disappointing box office of justice league, director zack snyder is looking. The fountainhead remake will be zack snyders next film. The book has developed such a reputation as the fountainhead of fiction that many readers are afraid of tackling it, in case they might fail to understand it. The idea of individualism is not new, but nobody had defined a consistent and specific way to live by it in practice. The fountainhead article about the fountainhead by the. All accomplishments of man when can be traced back to the creative mind. Emanuel levy described the film as one of the few examples of an adaptation that is better than the book it was based on. I first read it in high school teachers warned me against it while i was in england and its plot, theme, characters and the philosophy rand integrates through it all has been the guiding influence in my life since. A fountainhead is also a stone that is sometimes used for countertops. Her idea for the book was to contrast the firsthanded independence of her hero, howard roark, with other characters who are variations on the theme of secondhandedness.
Her heroes and heroines prevail over inferior others in ruthless hierarchical worlds not unlike the high school at the center of the 2004 megahit movie mean girls, the quotable bible of millennial meme culturenow also a broadway musical. It is criticized for its presentation of largely blackandwhite characters. About the fountainhead cliffsnotes study guides book. The revolutionary literary vision that sowed the seeds of obje. This lesson will introduce characters, provide a summary, and give an analysis of the book. Sure, its missing some of the depth, some of the characters, some of the major scenes, and the sm sex. Man and nature in the fountainhead the atlas society. And one of my happiest moments, about two years later, was given to me by the look on his face when he came home, one day, and saw the pageproofs of the book, headed by the page that stated in cold, clear, objective print. Even to classify the fountainhead as a novel seems slightly beside the point. Full text and audio mp3 of movie the fountainhead howard roark addresses the jury american rhetoric. The main characters of this fiction, classics story are howard roark, peter keating.
This edition contains a special afterword by rands literary executor, leonard peikoff, which includes excerpts from ayn rands own notes on the making of the fountainhead. Born february 2, 1905, ayn rand published her first novel, we the living, in 1936. It is criticized for its presentation of largely blackandwhite characters, and an undercurrent of sadomasochism in roarks relationship with dominque francon who serves as both an adversary and. Not so with the film version of ayn rands hit novel the fountainhead, which is a paean to radical individualism.
Mar 10, 2020 a spring that is the source of a river. Roark embodies what rand believed to be the ideal man, and his struggle reflects rands. The fountainhead, ayn rand the fountainhead is a 1943 novel by russianamerican author ayn rand, her first major literary success. The fountainhead was a surprise popular success that catapulted ayn pronounced to rhyme with mine rand to fame. With characters that are gripping, settings that are par excellence, and dialogue that displays incredible depth, the book is a well rounded synthesis about the nature of individualism and what it means to be human. Today is the 75th anniversary of the publication of the fountainhead by ayn rand, the novel ive recommended more than any other. Today, the fountainhead has achieved the status of a modern classic. While the fountainhead made me consider my ethics, it also altered them.
The fountainhead takes place in the united states, mostly in new york city, during the 1920s and 1930s. Extremely well written with interesting twists and thought provoking philosophy, the fountainhead is one of the most inspiring. It is like the completion, the proper climax of this book s history. A fountainhead refers to an original source, like a refreshing springfed lake. The book warns against a more subtle manifestation of collectivism, one that underlies the political danger and makes that danger possible. Frank that i would dedicate the fountainhead to him because he had saved it. Synonyms for fountainhead at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. But that i knew it over twentyfive years agothat i knew it while the 1. The fountainhead is a 1943 novel by russianamerican author ayn rand, her first major literary success. Stone symbolizes destruction of hopes and ambition roark rands philosophy of objectivism keating a typical conformist ice symbolizes dominiques fragile nature keatings mother represents the superego of freuds psychological structure of the human psyche ellsworth toohey symbolizes a charismatic fascist dictator who will ruin anything that gets in his path.
The fountainhead study guide contains a biography of ayn rand, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Roark also, early on in the story, works in a stone quarry. The fountainhead, novel by ayn rand, published in 1943. The fountainhead serves as an excellent introduction to both ayn rands writing and her philosophy of objectivism. This is a philosophical theme and the book could reasonably be classified as. Ayn rand and the culture of greed, when rands affair with a much younger disciple soured in the late 1960s, her objectivist movement which. How ayn rand became the spirit of our time literary hub. He is told off by the dean paul stanton, as he does not want to know anything about history or how buildings were built in the past. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Rand means that everything good flows from a source, and that source is a persons rational action for his own sake, i. What is the significance of the title the fountainhead in. The true meaning of integrity is so well portrayed by rand.
The fountainhead is a 1943 novel by russianamerican author ayn rand, her first major. The fountainhead can be difficult to follow and one has to be patient to get to the very meat and bones of ayn rands objectivist philosophy. The manner in which ayn rand integrates the theme of the fountainhead with other literary elements is important. Ayn rand witnessed these horrors firsthand in europe. All of the major intellectual themes that inform rands fiction and her subsequent philosophy are presented clearly in this novel.
Easiest to specify is the books political and ideological significance. I loved the fountainhead, the book, and i found this movie to be faithful to the book in theme and flavor. Religions monopoly in the field of ethics has made it extremely difficult to communicate the emotional meaning and connotations of a rational view of life. However, when reading the first chapter of the book, i. Initial sales were slow, but the book gained a following by word of mouth and became a bestseller. Ayn rand may have her faults as an author, but being a bad storyteller is not one of them. Before calling it the fountainhead, ayn rands working title was secondhand lives. Author of the hugely popular novels the fountainhead and atlas shrugged, rand is the original mean girl. Howard roarke is essentially a man who lives according to his own standards and own ideals. The fountainhead questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on the fountainhead. The plot is an ideal vehicle by which to present this. It was with the publication of the fountainhead 1943 and atlas shrugged 1957 that she achieved her spectacular success. The first edition of the novel was published in 1943, and was written by ayn rand. In short, what rand offers is a new ideal, one based on a new conception of what is noble and on.
Fountainhead definition and meaning collins english. Rands novels particularly the fountainhead 1943 and atlas shrugged 1957 offer an original conception of what a moral life looks like, one that is demanding and uncompromising, but which thoroughly rejects the ideal of selfsacrifice. Written in 1943, the fountainhead introduced new views on rands philosophy, objectivism. A poll conducted jointly in 1991 by the library of congress and the book ofthemonth club showed that atlas shrugged was the second most influential book in the lives of the respondents behind only the bible and showed the fountainhead among the top twenty. The theme, as ayn rand states it, is individualism versus collectivism, not in politics but in mens souls. It made me realize that man could be as great as he wants to be, and how acheivement is our ultimate goal. It is rare that one can sit down, for pleasure, read a book, for pleasure, and accidentally fumble upon a set of views that challenge those previously held.
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