The first two parts of this novel are dominated primarily by the relationship that Roark has with Keating. Rand uses Roark to Keating comparisons to convey two polar contrasts. Roark, Rand’s hero and epitome for all that Rand holds to be good, is the personification of what Rand values. In a world of corruption on both a personal and societal level, Roark adheres to his ideals. In spite of his poverty and lack of work, he always follows his personal opinion and makes tough decisions with unwavering courage. Peter, however, is Rand’s antithesis. He is depicted as someone who is driven by praise and approval. The only thing that identifies him is success. He achieves this through manipulation, sycophancy & hypocrisy. Rand uses Roark’s extreme individualism and objective nature to show him as a character driven by a strong desire to achieve success through his art. The end of the book is when Guy asks Roark for his biggest project, “… as a monument to Roark’s spirit …”.
Stanton Institute of Technology was the starting point for Keating as well as Roark’s professional careers. Peter is a student that teachers love, he’s a highly competitive young man who wants to succeed in all social aspects. He’s the best in class, and he gets a job at the largest architectural firm of America. Roark was expelled by the school because of his insubordination. Although he is considered talented, his refusal to follow traditional architectural methods makes him seem “disobedient”.
Peter is unsure of what he really wants. He is unsure about his future. His mother convinces him to accept a certain job only after she says that his arch-rival Shlinker would take it if he did not.
Roark remains composed and professional despite the uncertainty that surrounds his future. Peter asks Roark for advice. He tells Peter that if he wants his advice “you’ve already made a big mistake.” Asking me… never ask people. Not about work …” There is a significant difference in the way they interpret events of their lives and how their career philosophy guides them.
Keating remains a rigid conformist. Keating believes that his future success is entirely dependent on how closely he sticks to Francon. Francon’s weaknesses, such as his dislike of Stengel and his lack design ideas, are used to his advantage. Keating becomes Francon’s most trusted ally by adhering to all of Francon’s standards, whether they are professional, personal, or social. Francon and Keating’s relationship is built on manipulation, connivance, and a mutual respect. Peter, however, is at a complete loss when it come to designing. He cannot put his many accolades and achievements to good use.
Howard Roark studies under Henry Cameron. A modernist who is now considered an ave been, Henry Cameron was a student of Roark’s. Roark doesn’t work for Henry out of social pressure. Henry’s work is respected and Roark wants to learn about architecture by designing buildings. Roark is challenged both mentally and physically at Henry. Roark strengthens Henry, not Keating. Howard also has a profound effect on Henry. Henry begins to believe in the importance of individual work and says, on his deathbed: “Does anyone remember when I tried firing you?” “Forget what I had said before… It was worth the effort.” Henry’s deathbed remarks to Roark: “Do you remember when I tried to fire you?”
Francon is the moral equivalent of Henry. Roark did not use Henry the way Peter does Francon. Henry and Roark both bring stability into Henry’s lives, but Henry also helps Roark finish his architectural design understanding.
Peter becomes popular quickly after starting his career. He then begins to lavish himself and his property with luxury items that allow him to identify with the most successful people of his era. Peter eventually blackmails Heyer, causing him to die in order to further himself. Keating’s career has been marked by this important event. The desperation he feels to be in control grows into a morally reprehensible capacity. Rand uses the event to demonstrate that Rand’s manipulations are more than just helpless, innocent attempts to gain social acceptance.
Roark is unlike Keating in that he does not follow or enforce false social practices for the purpose of gaining commissions. Roark doesn’t patronize clients, nor does he join guilds or attend parties to please them. He thinks that he will be able to obtain more challenging work if he continues working.
Rand used dialogues, speeches and other forms of expression to make important points about her philosophy. Toohey, Wynand and Roark have strong career relationships. It is useful to compare their contributions towards Roark and Keating’s respective professional journeys. Peter looks to Toohey for comfort and redemption. He wants blind himself to the Roarks who are out there and convince himself that being imperfect, dishonest and lying is common and therefore not wrong. Toohey states that it is important to give preference to the disabled over those with a good mind and body, and to love mediocre individuals rather than to denigrate them. Peter is both happier and more depressed by these ideas. Peter began by manipulating people, but now Toohey is using and manipulating him to the point that Peter has lost his true self. Roark is not affected by Toohey’s aggressive campaign against Roark. Roark responds to Toohey when he destroys Roark’s Stoddard Temple.
Guy Wynand has different motivations when he offers Keating or Roark projects. Guy Wynand mocks Keating by giving him the Stoneridge Project, but Roark gets each project because of his friendship and respect. Roark has no obligation to do anything in exchange with Wynand, but Peter will be encouraged to swap his spouse for the commission. Peter decides that he will end his relationship and sell Dominique to Wynand in order to obtain the Stone Ridge Commission.
Peter’s professional path is fundamentally unlike Howard’s as Peter lacks the courage and integrity. He cannot separate himself from his opinions and avoids taking any risks. He is thus a slave to the whims of others. Roark is a man of strong convictions and adheres to them consistently. Roark’s only chance for success is through honest work. As a result, he struggles with finding a place in the world.
Both Roark’s and Keating’s success is due to their ability to become architects of acclaim. Keating cannot save himself, as he is lost in his quest for social acceptance. Keating is a man who struggles with his inner self and suffers terribly because he does not listen to it. Roark’s struggle is against the imperfections of his environment. He is not fighting with himself, but rather with those around him. He is fighting a constant battle with patience. He wins by learning to not be affected.
Rand’s goal in Fountainhead is to express that only self-actualization can lead to real success and that social success measures are false, unreal and misleading. Roark is aware of this and strives to live up to his individualistic and objectivist ideals. Rand doesn’t mention Roark’s emotional reactions to the lack of commissions he receives or the rejections he faces. But, it is clear that Roark remains unaffected. Dominique learns the same lesson in the end. Roark’s real success comes from the fact that it gives his life meaning and satisfaction. Peter’s apparent success hides the inner devastation and moral corruption of his character.