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The Fountainhead Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Fountainhead


Howard Roark is a man with extraordinary vision. His creative genius, however, is supressed by the restraints of society and the accepted "norms" of life. The main philosophical question the novel presents is whether to work to fulfill self-desires, or to work for the greater good, or the good of others. The argument Rand makes, is that ultimately, unless you work to fulfill your own desires, all achievement will fall short and no one will benefit.
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The review of this Book prepared by Laura Fong




This fascinating book captures the exhausting battle of an individual, Howard Roark, against the conformist society. The protagonist, an architest by profession, refuses to create to satisfy others thus expressing the author's philosophy of life : to create for self satisfaction. In his journey of creation, Roark meets people who are egocentric, afraid of his ingenuity, afraid of their own lack of creativity and who go to all limits to break this person.
The review of this Book prepared by saurabh sharma




This is the greatest book ever: very deep and philisophical. The basic plot is an architects fight against conventinal thinking, but this book touches so much more.
The review of this Book prepared by Jane Fiegen




This is a long, somewhat boring book about altruism. Howard Roark, a talented architect, fights against the pressures of society to put the whole before the individual. Interesting ideas or expressed in a symbolic, beautiful, almost artistic novel about why communism is bad and capitalism is good.
The review of this Book prepared by Ann Anonymous




The Fountainhead is one of those great books that everyone should read. It lays out the basic position of all of Ayn Rand's writing: that egoistic self-infatuation is good for you. The book itself is a masterpiece of stark writing and strong characterizations, but the message is both deadly and evil - particularly when taken to the extreme to which she takes it.
The review of this Book prepared by Kelly Whiting



Chapter Analysis of The Fountainhead

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Plot & Themes

Internal struggle/realization?    -   Yes Struggle over    -   nature of existence (heavy philosophy)

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   artist    -   engineer Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American)

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   2 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Southeast    -   Northeast

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing    -   rape/molest Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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