The Fountainhead

Recently I finished reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

I always thought man's struggle is between his heart and mind !

After reading the book, I think, its actually a struggle between being able to choose between doing what is approved by the society or doing what is approved by one's heart and mind.

Collectivism Vs Objectivism ! The highest spirit is the man's ego ! In the book Rand emphasizes that being an egotist is not wrong, its better than being a second-hander. Always doing things which makes society accept you Vs doing things which makes you accept yourself as a greatest spirit in the world.

Howard Roark is my hero. He represents the ultimate egotist who stands for himself, his values, his ethics, his self-esteem !

The novel seems so contemporary, because despite of the technological advances the real issues of man's struggle against the collectivist society is still the same.

Today media has become very powerful, like Gail Wynand's "Banner" in The Fountainhead, especially Toohey's column - "One Small Voice", which he uses to raise someone to greatness, and to pull someone out of the limelight ! Today media does the same thing. Not everyone who is a celebrity and is in the limelight has the best talent in the industry, there are people who have talent, but avoid limelight.

Believe in yourself, don't be a second-hander is the essential message of The Fountainhead !