The Fountain Head

          In the novel, The Fountain Head, the author Ayn Rand illustrates two main themes through her characters. One being the importance of being unique and pushing aside forces that go against an individual’s beliefs, in summary, the act of individualism. Another theme that Rand expresses through her main character, Howard Roark, is determinism. Through out the novel we see how Roark maintains consistent and ambitioned to see his dreams and artwork become reality. These two themes are clearly demonstrated in one of the main and meaningful scene of The Fountain Head, a scene that defines the character Howard for the entire novel. The scene involves Howard Roark and the dean of the Stanton Institute of Technology during an argument that happened between them.

            This scene begins by Roark becoming informed that he was expelled from the Stanton Institute of Technology. The dean of the institute calls for Roark to converse about the situation. When Roark arrives to the deans’ office, the dean attempts to convince Roark to stay, because he does accept that Roark has talent in architecture. However does not admit that to Roark. The reason why Howard Roark was expelled was that he was not sticking to the status quo the institute had in place. Tradition was the ideal way in the Institute of Technology, something that Roark decided to break through his architectural drawings. The dean of the institute knew that Roark had talent, however wanted to pressure him into staying and blending in like the others with the same customary drawings. Although Roark was able to be accepted in one of the greatest school of his time, he decided to turn down the second opportunity he had to stay in the school.

            By this scene the character of Roark is completely developed, the type of attitude and personality that Roark had was clearly demonstrated by the conversation he had with the school’s dean. The fact that Howard Roark does not take the second opportuinity he is offered to stay in the school, shows how much he wants his own dreams to become reality. He would rather leave with his unique drawing, than pursue a career that makes him blend in with all the other people who want the same as he does. The buildings that Roark would draw made him stand out from the rest of the society; take him out of the norm everyone else lived in. This scene can be looked at in a basic concept; the dean represents society, by wanting the traditions and oppressing the unique, and Roark is the individual who dares to stand up for what he believes in and defend his originality. Howard Roark could have easily accepted the second chance he was offered to stay at the institude and potentially have one of the best carreers. Nevertheless, Howard Roark decides to reject the offer and continue against what society has set as tradition. Something that the dean could not comprehend, symbolic of how society is hesitant, if not willing to accept change.

            The scene does not only define the character of Howard Roark, but he is used to exemplify the main themes that Ayn Rand has set for the novel. Roark illustrated the importance of individualism. As the plot progressed, we see how he embarked on a new mission, which was to make his architectural drawing become concrete in real life. Thus, he went on to look for a unique and talented architect. Even though the scene was simple and easily overlooked, the scene has the vital message of people having to stand up for what they believe is right. Breaking the tradition allows Roark to stand out, capturing the attention of the society and the readers.  Being true to oneself is something significant because by being unique, new ideas came about, and thus new paths can be created. The second major them that Ayn Rand uses Roark to portray is the act of determinism. Roark was expelled of the Institute of technnolgy due to the fact that he wanted his art to be real life. By this act, many would have been discourged and ending up by blending in like the rest of society. However, this was not the case for Roark. Roark held his head high, refused to be turned down, and left the room knowing that somehow he was going to achieve his goals. Even though Roark was not direct of how he was determined, he indirectly demonstrated how he still had his aspirations.

            With the scene of Howard Roark being expelled from one of the greatest institutes of his time, and rejecting his second chance to continue his career there, Ayn Rand made this scene one of the most meaningful of the novel. By the use of the main protagonist, Howard Roark, Ayn Rand expressed the importance of individualism and determinism, the two main themes of the novel, The Fountain Head.