Literary+Analysis


 * //The Fountainhead //**** Literary Analysis **

**Below is an explanation of Ayn Rand’s philosophy on objectivism: ** [|**http://aynrandnovels.org/ayn-rand-ideas/introduction-to-objectivism.html**]


 * The novel’s themes are centered on the following: **
 * 1) **Independence vs Dependence **
 * 2) **Individualism vs Collectivism **
 * 3) **Individualism vs Conformity **
 * 4) **First-Handers vs Second Handers **


 * Using the text as your base, analyze the literature through one of these three questions. **
 * Select ONE of the following three topics **

1. Explain the similarities and differences between the characters of Dominique Francon, Steven Mallory and Gail Wynand. How does each’s view of life and its possibilities differ from Howard Roark’s? How does this issue relate to the theme of the novel?

2. Howard Roark discusses the motives, methods and functioning of both the altruist (devotion to the welfare of others) and the egoist (individual self-interest as the valid end of all actions). Do the lives of Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey and Catherine Halsey illustrate his thesis about altruists? Does his own life illustrate his thesis about egoists? Explain your answer.

3. In conversation with Nathaniel Janss, Howard Roark observes that reason is something that "no one really wants to have on his side." Do the events of //The Fountainhead// show that Roark wants reason on his side while other characters do not? How does this issue relate to the theme of the novel?

[]
 * Specs: **
 * Prewriting, Outlining, Rough Draft, Peer Edit, and Self Edit forms MUST be including in the folder for the final copy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Essay must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length and double-spaced.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Essay must include no less than three quotes from the text to support your analysis.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Paper will include the cover sheet provided. NO indication of author’s name will be on the final draft.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">All final drafts must be submitted electronically AND in hard copy
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">These entries will be entered into the Ayn Rand Institute writing competition. Please go to the website to see the specifics for that competition.