Who likes "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand?

Question

I don't see any contradiction in my being an anti-capitalist anarchist, and loving this novel, do you? Howard Roark's character is amazing. Yet most "lefties" think Ayn Rand is the antichrist. I may not agree with all her ideas, but I read "The Fountainhead" as a beautiful fable about art, integrity and freedom.

Answer 1

I enjoyed The Fountainhead a great deal.

Rand's writings will generally have some degree for the artist, as she was one herself and gave quite a bit of praise to artists in her works.  I also agree that The Fountainhead was a book laced with the themes of integrity and freedom.

The Fountainhead is often viewed more positively than Atlas Shrugged by Rand's readers because it is less preachy and less offensive to those who disagree with her.  One can listen to Roark in court without feeling quite so lectured as one feels after hearing the John Galt speech on the radio.  Many see Roark as a single man fighting the system - a rebel with a cause - while John Galt is seen as a leader of elitist demigods set to take over the world.

Ayn Rand is not the antichrist, but there are views she holds that are both demanding and uncompromising.  Many of these views fly in the face of conventional morality.  For example, in the modern world, most people hesitate to say that continued existence is one's own responsibility alone.  Rather, most would say that people are their brothers' keepers.  

I enjoy Rand's work, and I have a lot of sympathy for her philosophy, but I don't think one has to necessary agree with Rand in order to admire her work.  

Thanks for the question.

Answer 2

I'm not a leftie, but in response to your question:

Rand was a very good novelist.  She herself said that her writings were in part an attempt to create an ideal man (e.g. Roark).  Perhaps this was a reflection of her own inability to find a worthwhile man who was devoted to her in real life?

But yes, her objectivist philosphies fail the test of reality.  Remove government controls on transportation and you get Delta and American; remove controls on energy and you get Enron; remove controls on telecommunications and you get Worldcom; remove controls on banking and Bear Stearns.

Answer 3

I don't like "The Fountainhead" very much, but one's economic theory need not determine what novels one likes.

Answer 4

I love The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged too, but in many areas I disagree with the philosophy when it is interpreted literally. However in many other ways, personal rather than political, I agree absolutely. I think it is very important to have a code of ethics and a core of integrity. I think it is worth making difficult choices rather than expedient ones so that you don't have to expend a lot of energy in rationalizing and justifying and lying to yourself. That, at least, is how I have reconciled my politics with my appreciation for Rand's work, and why I have been able to read it over the course of 30 years of evolving views without losing either my affection or my respect for it.

So, no, I don't see any contradiction in your views and I agree with your assessment of the novel. In fact, you make me feel somewhat less alone. I have argued this with too many people and no longer care to confront it. So many get so rabid!