READING+REFLECTIONS

1st Entry on Ayn Rand’s Fountainhead My feelings on… Howard Roark: In the beginning of the book Howard is expelled from the Institute for Architecture for his outlandish modern designs. When asked to experiment with renaissance and Mediterranean styles. Despite excelling in his other classes such as math and science, he’s expelled solely based on his performance in his Architecture class. I agree that he should’ve failed his architecture class; there are no exceptions when it comes to what a teacher asks from his students. For example, if my English teacher asked me to write an essay on my view of the present state of America’s economy and I turned in an essay about my summer vacation; of course I’m going to fail that assignment. It frustrates me that such smart guy was expelled for his stupidity in one class, he could have explored his designs outside class while still doing what his teacher asked of him. School isn’t a place to be creative; you learn what they have to teach you, then when after graduation is the time for exploration. Even though he hated what he was doing he should have bite the bullet for one more year. It is disgraceful that the university expelled him for his appreciation of modern architecture. It’s a shame that this child worked his way up from having nothing, into one of the most prodigious Architecture institutes in the country, then all that hard work go to waste because of a committee of close minded professors. Peter Keating: Peter Keating knows that you can get virtually anywhere with a smile and a good attitude. He’s used this method to work his way up in Guy Francon’s business, to now head designer. He can be compared to Bernie Madoff, he too understood how to work people to his advantage. Many were thrilled to have Mr. Madoff do their finances; he was a friendly, sharp man. Even when he was stealing millions, his customers were blinded by his charm and were unable to see that they were being double-crossed. But with every corrupt rise to the top there is a downfall, just like Madoff, and Peter will soon have his. Already Peter is having difficulties performing the task as head designer and turns to Roark for help. Peter can talk big but when it comes down to it, he isn’t as spectacular as he caries himself.

As an English teacher, the best work by students is usually those that transcend the assignment. School assignments are not always "paint by numbers" and I think that students should try to interpret the assignment and add their own individuality to it. For me, the point is to use the assignment to do something you want to do. Therefore, I like to set "design parameters" for students, provide a few resources to help them focus their efforts, and be agnostic about what direction they take it in. However, like you, I agree that true creativity comes from mastering the "forms" or "rituals" as Confucius would have it, and by mastering them you add your own insight that is then passed on to future generations. You succeed not by directly attacking the "idols of the tribe" but by subverting them by using them toward another purpose and making them your own. Many have defined education as the process by which you take others knowledge and you make it your own and I would concur. In addition, I share your frustration (although I have often been THAT student) who hijacks my class and makes it solely about them instead of taking and supporting a more social perspective on education and work. Still, I am not sure that I would draw the hard line about what is OK in or out of school. To me, the lines are not so neatly drawn.

On your comments on Keating, I think most people know they are getting snowed by Keatings or Madoffs (see video below), but they are convenient fictions that allow for social interaction to proceed. Most relationships would be impossible if they were based solely on pure and unvarnished honesty. So we all agree to some degree of humbuggery and manipulation, but we still think there are limits and I think the question is whether Keating crosses those lines or not. I think most think Madoff did.

Mr. Brunelli

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2nd Ayn Rand Entry

Dominique Francon is the first woman we have met in the Fountain Head who isn’t depicted as weak such as Mrs. Keating and Katie. Dominique body is described as slim and masculine with straight lines, very much like a piece of architecture that Roark would appreciate. Roark and Dominique share many qualities, both are nonconformists who share the same idea of what beauty is. But the difference between the two is Dominique plays the role at the daughter who wants to do everything to displease daddy. While her father goes right it seems that Dominique in defiance always goes left, he wants her to be a socialite and she believe that the world destroys beauty and purity, and decides to remain removed from the world. She publishes an article bashing one of the buildings his firm made, describing how his firm manipulates the same renaissance designs in every structure. She accomplishes what she her goal, after reading the article Francon was seething with rage, disgraced that his own daughter would disgrace him in such a manner. She recognizes beauty and genius, and writes about it oppose to Roark who actually makes it. Where Roark believes in his designs not because he wants to get back at an individual person or society itself rather that it’s his own creative work that he’s going to stand by.

I believe that there will be a future romance between Dominique and Howard. Dominique Francon can be compared to Rose and Howard to Jack from the movie “The Titanic”. Rose and Dominique are both daughters of wealthy aristocrats who long to “really live life.” In “The Titanic” even though both lovers are from different social classes, the common belief in living life to the fullest, not being fake rather being true to themselves, brought them together. The same will go for Howard And Dominique, both are from different social classes but both share the same non-conformist dreams, which will ultimately cause both to fall in love with one another.

3rd Ayn Rand Entry

As the book progresses and Keating’s true colors reveal themselves I’m realizing that Keating isn’t the level headed hero I originally thought him to be, rather he’s a conniving mama’s boy who will do anything to get to the top. I originally admired Keating for his determination to climb the social ladder; he resembled J Pier Pont Finch in the movie __How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying__. The movie depicts the story of a poor paperboy who climbs his way from the mailroom to the president of the company, without really doing anything. He didn’t become president because of his hard work, rather he became president because of his friendly personality. Originally just as Mr. Finch, he used his good looks and personality to woo others, but in chapters 14 and 15 we see Keating’s sadistic side.

Keating is playing with the hearts of two girls. He promised to marry Katie but with only his career in mind also proposes to Dominique. Keating deep down hates Dominique but keeps reminding himself that she’s Francon’s daughter. Later Keating goes to his architectural elder’s (Lucious Heyer) bedside to ensure that he himself gets Heyer’s soon vacant position. To ensure that he’ll get the job Keating threatens Heyer with blackmail, which would mortify Heyer. In the middle of pleading to Keating, Heyer suffers from a second stroke and dies. What happened to the charming socialite I knew and loved? He’s playing with two girl’s feelings, threatens a man on his deathbed, and for what? Just so he can have more feeling of superiority. Now he’s finally reached his goal of stardom, despite the fact he’s still unhappy and believes he’ll remain unhappy until he destroys Roark. If I were Keating I’d be appreciative of where I was in my life, but if Keating isn’t dwelling on one thing it’s another.

Keating has everything; he’s finally at the top, won the Cosmo-Slotncik competition but still dwells on Roark. Keating is jealous of Roark, jealous that he is so content with his life even though basically he has nothing. Keating doesn’t want to just be at the top, he wants those under him to admire him and kiss his feet, amongst a crowd of worshippers Roark is the only one remaining standing. Keating knows that without Roark’s help he would never have been able to achieve what he has achieved but still he wishes harm onto his friend. Frustrated that he is unable to make Roark bow down Keating cries. Keating has become so disgusting, he may be at the top now but it’s only a matter of time before he falls, but he will not just fall, he’ll hit rock bottom. Be careful who you step on on your way up because you never know who you will pass on your way down. Sooner or later, we all stumble and fall so be prepared to eat icy revenge.


 * 1) 4 Ayn Rand Entry

In chapter one through five Rand reveals more of who Dominique really is and what her motivations are. Domique refuses to let herself become attached to anything or anyone and purposely choices to live her life amongst those she hates. She has a strong appreciation for what is beautiful and perfect but a strong hatred for society believing that it’s a threat to beauty and perfection. All around her are men who borrow from one another, none of them truly their own man. Her meeting with Roark ends her loveless existence and she is found caring for another man. Dominique believes that before the world destroys Roark she must destroy him first. Roark fascinated Dominique in the quarry, she couldn’t stop looking at him while he drilled the granite slab. She whishes he’d succumb to the difficulty of his task, but he doesn’t. She trys to destroy him, make him vulnerable by asking Roark if he suffers. When he breaks the granite slab with his drill it’s symbolic of him breaking her once strong emotional barrier.

I am really shocked that Howard Roark raped Dominique; in their several brief encounters Roark never expressed any interest in her. Rand presents her rape as violent but necessary, Ayn Rand believes that women should be weak and frigid whilst men are masterful. During the scene Roark is described as a “a master taking shameful, contemptuous possession” of a slave. Dominique is a woman who wants to be dominated; in a way I believe she enjoyed being forced to have sex. To rape someone the man has to have a passion or desire that he can’t keep inside of him any longer, tired of waiting he forces himself upon his victim. That’s the problem though, I couldn’t imagine Roark not only having emotions but succumbing to them. I can see Keating on the other hand just become so frustrated from is fruitless attempts of pursuing that he would end up raping her. When Roark tries to kiss her, this is obviously a result from his uncontrollable urge to marry Dominique. Roark is both the rapist and the victim; he cannot resist Dominique and becomes a slave to his passions. There isn’t a word uttered during the rape despite how violent it is, despite the physical encounter their minds are in harmony.

Ayn Rand despite being a woman herself is against women’s rights. Rather that believing in the statement behind every man is a woman she believes that women are nuisances who destroy every thing they touch. Dominique is an extreme symbol of what Ayn Rand believes women to be. The rape scene makes it seem that perfect and beautiful Howard Roark succumbed to his feelings towards a woman, weakening him. Ayn Rand believes that women are like Kind Midas but the other way around, everything she touches falls apart.