Character Analysis of Part 2
In part two of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, character development is key to the storyline. As certain characters mature, Rand gives a deeper understanding to the reader about the overall theme of the novel. Character such as Ellsworth Toohey, Steven Mallory, Peter Keating, Howard Roark and Dominique Francon exemplify these messages.
This part of the book is entitled “Ellsworth M. Toohey” for the fact that he has the greatest impact on this part of the book. Ellsworth Monkton Toohey is initially the villain of the novel, however great he is. He is great, in a sense, for his talent of gaining power so easily and manipulating those people of less importance. He initially hates people that act idiosyncratic, and instinctively must put a to stop them. He preaches to people that surrendering oneself to the needs of others is the greatest act of humanity that one can perform. Peter Keating describes Toohey physically as a thin, narrow-chested, fragile little man. However, behind that lifeless body is a greater death, inhabited by a soulless man that only embodies the most corrupt parts of humanity.
Toohey is an exclusive writer for the New York newspaper, The Banner. The paper is a very influential document to its readers, thus granting Toohey automatic power through his written words. However, those words can often be seen as provocative, and lead Toohey to stand with a gun to his face because he went a bit to far. With his influential power, Toohey creates an informal group of up-and-coming architects, where they can share their ideas equally and willingly. This presentation of equality that is established is a great example of Toohey’s philosophy of man.
Peter Keating begins his role as the young and anonymously attractive architecture student, hoping to aspire in a great career and a successful life. However, he makes too many mistakes along the way and is continually digging into a hole of despair throughout the novel. He is a soulless man, flat of emotion and weak of understanding, not as much as Toohey, but not far off either. Toohey uses him as a puppet in order to put Howard Roark, and other individuals, in their place. Keating acquires no ego from his work, for Toohey disapproves of it. Keating becomes a bitter man as the novel continues, falling into regret about his life, but figuring that there is nothing he can do about it. He becomes very greedy as well, as he goes through a marriage with Dominique Francon. He is not happy with her, but takes pleasure and pride form the envious men that witness their engagement. Keating is undoubtedly blind in his struggles, especially to the fact that he’s bargains his soul away to people. He is so blind that he cannot see anyone else’s’ struggles either, and that is ultimately his downfall.
This part of the book is entitled “Ellsworth M. Toohey” for the fact that he has the greatest impact on this part of the book. Ellsworth Monkton Toohey is initially the villain of the novel, however great he is. He is great, in a sense, for his talent of gaining power so easily and manipulating those people of less importance. He initially hates people that act idiosyncratic, and instinctively must put a to stop them. He preaches to people that surrendering oneself to the needs of others is the greatest act of humanity that one can perform. Peter Keating describes Toohey physically as a thin, narrow-chested, fragile little man. However, behind that lifeless body is a greater death, inhabited by a soulless man that only embodies the most corrupt parts of humanity.
Toohey is an exclusive writer for the New York newspaper, The Banner. The paper is a very influential document to its readers, thus granting Toohey automatic power through his written words. However, those words can often be seen as provocative, and lead Toohey to stand with a gun to his face because he went a bit to far. With his influential power, Toohey creates an informal group of up-and-coming architects, where they can share their ideas equally and willingly. This presentation of equality that is established is a great example of Toohey’s philosophy of man.
Peter Keating begins his role as the young and anonymously attractive architecture student, hoping to aspire in a great career and a successful life. However, he makes too many mistakes along the way and is continually digging into a hole of despair throughout the novel. He is a soulless man, flat of emotion and weak of understanding, not as much as Toohey, but not far off either. Toohey uses him as a puppet in order to put Howard Roark, and other individuals, in their place. Keating acquires no ego from his work, for Toohey disapproves of it. Keating becomes a bitter man as the novel continues, falling into regret about his life, but figuring that there is nothing he can do about it. He becomes very greedy as well, as he goes through a marriage with Dominique Francon. He is not happy with her, but takes pleasure and pride form the envious men that witness their engagement. Keating is undoubtedly blind in his struggles, especially to the fact that he’s bargains his soul away to people. He is so blind that he cannot see anyone else’s’ struggles either, and that is ultimately his downfall.
Howard Roark is a tall and awkward man with red curly hair. He isn’t stalky, but is very muscular. Roark makes people feel small. He is stubborn and lives off of facts. His personality reveals that he gives society no room to change his stand on life. He confident that it’s every man for himself and that individual happiness is what to strive for. Howard leans on no one for anything.
Howard, in part two, designs major buildings that begin to show his individuality. The Enright House and The Stoddard Temple are two of these designs. Eventually he is sent to court for The Stoddard Temple scheme. Regardless of what happens, he will live for the fact that he had the right to design the buildings his way, under his philosophies. Along with his career, his social life plays a large role in part two. Roark is forced to work at a granite quarry at the beginning of this section. During this time he creates an eccentric, intimate relationship with a character by the name of Dominique Francon. Dominique, a confused individual, is stuck in a world where she does not belong. Born a selfish person, she has been forced to live in the selfless world where her father brought her up. Her and Roark’s relationship is primitive, and Dominique is left feeling violated by the end of their encounter.
Dominique is unique when it comes down to her physical appearance. She is a tall blonde and her limbs don’t look in proportion to the rest of her body. This does not stop men, they are all captivated by her beauty. When Dominique is approached by men, she leaves them at a standstill. Half of this is the intimidation factor she carries. She is a straight forward woman, and hates the world and most inhabiting it. This is the selfish attitude she carries but is forced to mask in the selfless world she grew in. Her real identity is a selfish person. She grew to hate the world she’s in because she doesn’t agree with the philosophies of it.
Dominique plays a lover, and illustrates an example of maturity. After her and Howard’s encounter, she eventually realizes his true identity. As she comes to the understanding that she loves him, she also hates him for his perfection. She consistently attempts to destroy him, not only for her hatred but to protect him. In this she marries Peter Keating. She believes men are not honorable enough to appreciate purity, as Howard’s designs. The only way to protect him, in her own twisted way, is to destroy him.
Dominique also carried a vital role in the Stoddard Temple case. She defends Roark, but also agrees with the trial that the building should be destroyed. She defends him in saying his design was correct, but wants the building destroyed based on her opinion of man’s right to pursue their perfection. Dominique’s real role in part two was her attempt of destroying Roark, if it was with Toohey, or her article.
One character that eventually observes first-hand the wild relations of Dominique and Howard is Steven Mallory. Mallory and Roark are both similar characters when it comes to their individuality, but Steven has low self-confidence. The world has been laid on his shoulders, and he lost all hope for his sculpting career. The attempted shooting of Toohey, in a sense, destroyed a part of his identity.
Mallory guides the story through the construction of the Stoddard Temple with the help of Dominique. Howard describes Steven as a gaunt young man, with unkempt hair. His face consists of strong mouth and expressive eyes. This is one of the similarities comparable to Roark. His physical appearance relates to his personality because he appears strong but emotional. It’s the contrast between the two features. His eyes represent the emotion and identity struggle that he goes through when he reacted to the attempted murder of Ellsworth Toohey. His strong mouth and jaw are comparable to the personality features of Roark. Mallory designed his way, which was unique.
Howard, in part two, designs major buildings that begin to show his individuality. The Enright House and The Stoddard Temple are two of these designs. Eventually he is sent to court for The Stoddard Temple scheme. Regardless of what happens, he will live for the fact that he had the right to design the buildings his way, under his philosophies. Along with his career, his social life plays a large role in part two. Roark is forced to work at a granite quarry at the beginning of this section. During this time he creates an eccentric, intimate relationship with a character by the name of Dominique Francon. Dominique, a confused individual, is stuck in a world where she does not belong. Born a selfish person, she has been forced to live in the selfless world where her father brought her up. Her and Roark’s relationship is primitive, and Dominique is left feeling violated by the end of their encounter.
Dominique is unique when it comes down to her physical appearance. She is a tall blonde and her limbs don’t look in proportion to the rest of her body. This does not stop men, they are all captivated by her beauty. When Dominique is approached by men, she leaves them at a standstill. Half of this is the intimidation factor she carries. She is a straight forward woman, and hates the world and most inhabiting it. This is the selfish attitude she carries but is forced to mask in the selfless world she grew in. Her real identity is a selfish person. She grew to hate the world she’s in because she doesn’t agree with the philosophies of it.
Dominique plays a lover, and illustrates an example of maturity. After her and Howard’s encounter, she eventually realizes his true identity. As she comes to the understanding that she loves him, she also hates him for his perfection. She consistently attempts to destroy him, not only for her hatred but to protect him. In this she marries Peter Keating. She believes men are not honorable enough to appreciate purity, as Howard’s designs. The only way to protect him, in her own twisted way, is to destroy him.
Dominique also carried a vital role in the Stoddard Temple case. She defends Roark, but also agrees with the trial that the building should be destroyed. She defends him in saying his design was correct, but wants the building destroyed based on her opinion of man’s right to pursue their perfection. Dominique’s real role in part two was her attempt of destroying Roark, if it was with Toohey, or her article.
One character that eventually observes first-hand the wild relations of Dominique and Howard is Steven Mallory. Mallory and Roark are both similar characters when it comes to their individuality, but Steven has low self-confidence. The world has been laid on his shoulders, and he lost all hope for his sculpting career. The attempted shooting of Toohey, in a sense, destroyed a part of his identity.
Mallory guides the story through the construction of the Stoddard Temple with the help of Dominique. Howard describes Steven as a gaunt young man, with unkempt hair. His face consists of strong mouth and expressive eyes. This is one of the similarities comparable to Roark. His physical appearance relates to his personality because he appears strong but emotional. It’s the contrast between the two features. His eyes represent the emotion and identity struggle that he goes through when he reacted to the attempted murder of Ellsworth Toohey. His strong mouth and jaw are comparable to the personality features of Roark. Mallory designed his way, which was unique.