Book: The Fountainhead
Author: Ayn Rand
The title of the book is quite impressive. But that was definitely not the only reason why I decided to give it a read. Egged by my teacher, I had to read it and now I find myself observing the philosophy promulgated by the book.
The author seemed to be quite garrulous at many places,something which was confusing and inexplicable initially but looking at the point which the author was trying to drive home, most of my confusions needed no second clarification.But still, I couldn't understand why the author portrayed each and every character to be so much complicated.I found almost every character save Peter Keatings and his mother (and some unpopular characters) quite distant from reality.
The character whom I despised initially but started liking towards the end is Dominique . The elegance and the poise which she portrayed throughout the story is something which impressed me the most. The ability to adapt to everything and anything without even a single wrinkle on her eyebrows was something that intensified my liking towards her.The way she pretended to be a bypasser when Hortolds buildings were bombed show that she was a master actress.But whatever, the qualities of humour,fun and innocence were more than enough to make me fall for her.And the final blow came when she started working in the office as nonchalantly as possible to assist his then husband-Mr Wynand .Her act of cleaning the room indicated that she could do anything...anything as menial as cleaning to anything as bold as modelling naked for the statue at the Stoddard Temple.The range of virtues possessed by her seemed to be endless. Can write Fountainhead Part-II in praise for her but that would be too much for just a fictitious character :)
The theory of objectivism as perceived by me is that no matter what I do ,whatever I think, all my actions and thoughts are for ME. Working for ME doesn't mean that I have to step on others' happiness etc. In fact,it has nothing to do with the OTHERS-neither good nor bad .It treats every man as an important,rather the MOST important creature and this is something which one should feel whenever he does something.Every humanbeing should work towards his self-elevation and not bother about sacrificing his happiness for the sake of others.If someone wants to do charity, he should do because HE feels happy to do it ,because HE is gaining self-elevation and not because others are in dire need.
The crux is whatever I do-good or bad ,whatever I think-noble or evil,whatever I practise-magnanmity or stinginess...my self-elevation and my happiness should be the motive guiding every action and thought of mine
