The Fountainhead Happiness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Volume.Chapter.Paragraph.)

Quote #4

"Will you be happy if you seal yourself for the rest of your life in that borrowed shape? Or if you strike free, for once, and build a new house, your own?" (1.13.84)

Roark tries to counsel his poor clients with philosophy. This client just wants a nice Southern mansion, but instead he gets a lecture. One man's "borrowed shape" is another man's dream house, Roark.

Quote #5

Dominique had spent so many summers and winters, surrounding herself with people in order to feel alone, that the experiment of actual solitude was an enchantment to her and a betrayal into a weakness she had never allowed herself: the weakness of enjoying it. (2.1.14)

Once again, Dominique seems to be unwittingly participating in Toohey's world view by viewing enjoyment as a sort of weakness. The diction here is worth noting, too. The word "enchantment" gives us the sense of a fairy tale, underlining the fact that Toohey's worldview is as far from reality as the story of Cinderella.

Quote #6

His normal assurance in meeting people had vanished; but he felt at ease, as if all responsibility were taken away from him and he did not have to worry about saying the right things. (2.3.52)

Happiness for Keating seems to be a lack of pressure and worry. He's so scared of responsibility that he can't be happy with it.