The Fountainhead Philosophical Views: Individualism Quotes

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

Quote #13

"Every building is like a person. Single and unrepeatable." (3.5.230)

Roark's views on buildings basically sums up the book's theme of individualism.

Quote #14

"If I asked you to keep your soul—would you understand why that's much harder?" (4.8.70)

There's a surprising amount of discussion about "souls" in this book, mostly from Toohey and Roark. These two men seem to get at the heart of the matter that everyone talks around, and their battle for people's "souls" helps to cast Toohey in the role of the devil and Roark in the role of a Christ figure.

Quote #15

"And isn't that the root of every despicable action? Not selfishness, but precisely the absence of self." (4.11.58)

Roark completely nails the horror of Toohey's philosophy here. Toohey isn't just advocating selfless behavior, but the entire absence of self. He wants individuals totally beaten down.