The Fountain Head reveals to an anticipating audience, the difficulties in maintaining an individual’s identity. Howard Roark’s struggles reveal the harsh and polarizing force known as the “American Dream.” The expelling of Howard Roark from Stanton Institute of Technology and the accompanying reactions of Howard’s Roark associates provides great insight as to the false importance society emphasizes on the pursuit of the dream. Escaping the great mouth of conformity is nearly impossible for every one of the characters set in the novel.
As the scene opens, Mrs. Keating implicitly asserts the significance of an education. Not once does she question the current emotional state of Howard Roark. She is a victim of ethos, placing false hope in prestigious names. In addition, she stresses the importance of an unknown dean, despite a lack of information about the man’s character. Mrs. Keating exclaims through feelings of disgust, “You are not going like that?”(Ayn Rand, 20), the necessity to impress a foreign figure is dear to her. She demanded that Howard Roark parade around in attire that did not represent him in order to get into a school he did not want to attend. Howard Roark replies with a witty comment, “Not anymore,” (Rand, 20). Despite the pressure from Mrs. Keating, Howard salvaged to keep his identity. In addition, he showed his apathy towards the pessimistic thoughts of others. This tension-filled conversation reveals a major theme of The Fountain Head: the preservation of an individual’s character will constantly face threats from outside society.
Knowledge is freedom, information is restriction. A person possessing only information falls into an isolation of the mind. The individual is left solely with the opinion of which the information was received. Through knowledge, people have interpreted the information given and they have formed their own opinions of the content. Thus, creating an element of individuality. Once a student reaches a higher level of learning at an institute of such as a University, an individual should gain freedom. Freedom as to what path their career will follow and freedom as to what information they will gain from the world for interpretation. Stanton Institute of Technology contracted this concept of pure liberty; Stanton was the antithesis of a University. The novel paints a hostile image of Stanton Institute of Technology. “ It looked like a medieval fortress…wide enough for sentries, ramparts which defending archers could hide, and corner turrets from which boiling oil could be poured,” ( Rand, 20). War-like descriptions create an unsettling mood. A place for liberty, free will, and discovering one’s self does not exist. Instead a constant battle exists within the labyrinth walls of the school. Free will is extinct and the students within the institution are indoctrinated with careers believed to be the best. Howard Roark acknowledges what is occurring and he refuses to be just another piece of the puzzle. He does not assimilate into the binding school curriculum which forces students to mimic past works of history. Stale ideas, past thoughts slightly altered, originality flees. The students at the institution will work blindly and in the process lose themselves. Howard Roark is different. He is his own man and he creates with a sense of dignity. Despite the influence of the institution, he holds on to his own ideas and he does not allow outside thoughts to filter his own.
The influence of a bigot can not be measured through human instruments, but only from the work produced because of the influence. Howard Roark’s former dean held the power with little open-mindedness. He viewed the entire student body as one unit, and did not account them as separate individuals. Howard Roark was no exception. “The dean untwined his fingers… waited for the plea he expected,” (Rand, 20). If every student blended together as one, then individual needs were not met. Thus, cloning an army of disillusioned youth. This army only possessed intentions of following the American Dream and if time permitted, they would influence the youth of the future to mimic their misguided path. No longer does freewill exist, nor can students walk in the shoes that fit their curious feet comfortably. The society in The Fountainhead had become a car with a destination only focused on currency and power. The Stanton Institute of Technology served as the engine, providing mindless individuals to complete the income-based priorities of society. As Howard Roark showed little concern with returning to school, society panicked. Mrs. Keating and the Dean could not fathom as to why an individual stepped outside the norm. Originality brings fire to the lonely fields of conformity.
Howard Roark created a guide to the responsibilities of humans. Through his actions we as readers feel an urgency to combat the forces of conformity working upon us. He had no fear or second thoughts attached to his actions. Howard Roark understood his interests and he acknowledged what would make him happy. Despite the lack of encouragement from his society, he pursued what was right for him and he did not replace his priorities with those of others. Howard Roark symbolizes the fight for individuality and he spreads the growing fire of inspiration to every reader.
