'THE FOUNTAINHEAD' IS A GREATER PHILOSOPHICAL STAND-ALONE MASTERPIECE, THAN 'ATLAS SHRUGGED'

Posted by HARD_ROAR 6 years, 9 months ago to Philosophy
134 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

THIS IS ABOUT 100% INTEGRITY. FOR 'THE FOUNTAINHEAD' IS ABOUT ONE MAN ALWAYS STANDING ALONE AGAINST ALL MEN, VERSUS 'ATLAS SHRUGGED' BEING ABOUT A COLLECTIVE OF ALIKE-THINKING, HIGHLY CAPABLE MEN, BANDING TOGETHER TO SURVIVE, CONSTANT SIEGE OF MOOCHER MEN.

All Comments

Previous comments...   You are currently on page 6.
  • Posted by ycandrea 6 years, 9 months ago
    How about Snowden? To me, he is a masterpiece in real life. He gave up everything to stand up for his ideals against unbelievable evil.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 6 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I even loved the movie. Perfect casting. The essence of the novel perfectly presented. A very worthy achievement.It probably would never have been made if it wasn't a perfect vehicle for Gary Cooper.I was 14. I took my paperboy money and bought two copies in addition to the one I kept like a bible. I took Roark's speech out of both books (Needed two for continuity) and taped it to my bedroom wall, so I could read it easily when I got up or went to bed.I have since gotten a hard cover 1st edition.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by tdechaine 6 years, 9 months ago
    You are too narrow in thinking about this.
    You can't compare overall "philosophical stand-alone masterpiece" against the traits of a single character. In addition, think of AS as representing many individualists, not a collective, and where at least 1 is a more complete Obj. character than Roark.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by mminnick 6 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    As far as making the world a beter place, I agree that H.R. newver had the espress intent of making the work a better place, but he did say (via his character in the book) that he "always wanted to solve the problem of low cost quality housing". This in fact makes the world a better place. Yes he did it for the pleasure of solving an exceedingly difficult problem but the upshot is it makes the world a better place. Much if not all of the advances in the human condition are achieved in that manner.
    Just a note. I didn't say anything about FLW.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 6 years, 9 months ago
    You are right. I love The Fountainhead, and especially Howard Roark. His speech as to why he blew up the project was inspiring. Today, he'd be crucified (figuratively).
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden due to member score or comment score too low. View Comment
  • Posted by HARD_ROAR 6 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    liked your post until i got to "fact." for even though 'fountainhead" is probably inspired by the true life of frank lloyd wright (who was very successful in getting built, whatever he wanted built), there are no real world "facts" proven by T. F., since it is solely a work of fiction.

    but what is ASTONISHING about T. F. is that it got PUBLISHED in 1943, at a time when F. D. R.'s ever-growing depression-socialism and world war efforts eschewed and ostracized any american that solely wanted to stand alone for ANY cause, least of all for a "petty" one, like the "integrity" of architecture.

    as far as i've read, rand had several dozen rejection letters, until she finally found a young editor that loved it, and staked his career on it. and then the word of mouth on it, caught on like wildfire, and i believe T. F. soon became one of the bestsellers of 1943.

    something else you said struck me, "to make the world a better place." i disagree with you there, for roark NEVER did ANYTHING with the purpose of "making the world a better place." he did all he did SOLELY to stand up for ALL he believed in, WHATEVER it was. and the fact that in the story, he COLLATERALLY ends up expanding the legal rights for ALL individuals, that is NOT the reason WHY he did it (though he might be glad it occurred, of course).

    thanks for the post, stating that you prefer masterpiece T. F. over masterpiece ATLAS.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ 25n56il4 6 years, 9 months ago
    I really don't see how you can separate the two. Of course one individual alone against the tide is heroic and I have watched both movies more than one time and read Atlas Shrugged more than once. I was young and impressionable and have never forgotten the messages. I like to think I am an individual but it isn't easy. People tend to get in your way!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by mminnick 6 years, 9 months ago
    I have always like the Fountainhread more than Atlas Shrugged. Both are excellent, but The Fountainhead shows the true struggle of one person against the "system" and demonstrates the fact that one person can and does suced against all odds to make the world a better place.
    +1
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo