Ellsworth Toohey And The Role Of Individualism In Randy's

Prominent from the very beginning of the novel, Roark’s relationships with others and his own obstinate conduct in individualism, make him easily identifiable as Rand’s depiction of a perfect man. In his interactions, he impeccably balances between Rand’s ideals of not being concerned with man in any primary manner, and still keeping the value of human life by loving only those with self sufficient egos (636). With Steve Mallory, Roark chose Mallory to be his sculptor for no other reason than liking his work (338); when Roark first confessed his love to Dominique, he let her go because taking her at that moment would make Dominique lose herself (388); and Roark even encouraged Wynand to not sell himself or the Banner over. Roark’s unique form

of love further develops the individualism within his friends. However, while helping them and being there for them, Roark still puts into practice what is written in “The Ethic of Emergencies”: that “...he does not sacrifice himself to [his friends] needs”.
Roark’s first and primary concern is himself, and being true to his own ego. Despite being expelled from Stanton because of his complete disregard of fashionable architecture, Roark designed and built the way he wanted, and continued to do so throughout his career. In the Stoddard Temple, Roark erected a building that glorified the man’s soul, and proudly advocated for it, even though he was sued for it. Because he built the temple for himself, seeing it erected was enough for Roark, and he was fine when other architects changed it. With the same mindset in designing the Cortlandt Housing Project, Roark had no shame in blowing up the government-funded housing facilities when he saw that his design had been perverted and compromised by the other architects. Since he was building for himself and desire to develop a solution for cheap housing, he did not care about all the people the cheap housing could help; The housing project was corrupted before it was fully constructed, and that was enough reason to destroy it.
The steadfast loyalty to his ego that Roark displays, sharply contrasts with the desires of the world and the so called “second handers”- selfless people who live dependent on other people. The second handers give up their own desires, opinions, individuality, and ego, to appear appealing to the those around them. They stand like blades of grass in a typhoon; all bending to the will of others in a never-ending cycle of slavery. This type of selflessness, “permits no concept of a self-respecting, self supporting man,” and as Rand illustrates through the character of Peter Keating, it does not lead to a happy ending.
Keating spends his life, from graduating from Stanton to being an architect in the workforce, trying to please others. He is introduced in the novel as a top graduate from his school, and having a decision between working for a well-known architecture firm, or getting a painting scholarship; instead of making the choice himself, Keating asked for advice from Roark and his mother, and ultimately follows his mother’s advice of accepting the job offer. From that moment on, we see Keating repeatedly disregard himself in his own decisions, and focus on improving his social position in his career. It began with something as simple as Keating being pleasing to those in authority. Then it started to escalate; to Keating borrowing and claiming ownership of Roark’s designs, to blackmailing and assisting in a man’s stroke, to abandoning the women he loves, and then later, basically selling his wife for a commission.
In each of these actions, Keating betrayed his ego. He was born mediocre and without real talent, but wanted to be thought of as great (633). His desire for this prestige created his dependency on others’ opinions, leading him to down the path of doom; the path of losing one’s self. By the time Keating is middle-aged, it is too late for him to change his second-hander ways, and he fully acknowledges that he is, indeed, a parasite of society (601).
The life of Peter Keating demonstrates how arduous keeping your soul and being independent can be for even when Keating attempted to stand for himself, he was overpowered by those around him. Him being unsure in his own resolve and jealous of those with true talent, led him in a failed attempt find assurance in a contorted form of Altruism. As quoted from For the New Intellectual, this form of Altruism, “...was the device by which dependence and suffering were perpetrated on mankind,”. For those who accepted this form of selflessness do not give or sacrificed for the sake of helping others, but covertly use the actions of giving to appear as kind and selfless people to those around them; without realizing that in doing so was what was causing them to lose their self.
Ellsworth Toohey, a spurious humanitarian, is a perpetuator of this altruism; while he appears kind and brilliant, furtively, he uses his influence on the public to control people in order to further his goal: a world of complete obedience and unity (667).

In his job as an art critic, Toohey advocates for the importance of the collective and the evil of the individual. By posing as a mentor, he destroys individuals’ self worth, and manipulates those like Peter Keating into giving up their ego and following the accepted standards of the masses- the standards that he, himself, is directly determining. Despite Toohey being the ruler over the second-handers, his actions are, arguably, the most reliant upon others than anyone else in the novel. Notably, in his unusually authentic speech to Keating, Toohey’s scheme of killing aspiration, integrity, and the core values of man is for the sake of collectivism. But in doing so, he creates a circumstance where he cannot function or achieve any purpose without others.

As the antagonist of The Fountainhead, Toohey plays the opposing role against Roark. For everything Roark symbolizes and stands for, Toohey embodies the exact opposite. While Roark is independent, individualistic, self sufficient, and values the greatness of man, Toohey is dependent, selfless, a parasite, and enshires the mediocre. To maintain his control and power, Toohey tries to

de
Toohey tries to destroy those with greatness and talent, like Henry Cameron, Steve Mallory, and indubitably, Howard Roark.
Nevertheless, aligned with Rand’s beliefs, by the end of the novel Roark is happy, Toohey has failed, and Keating is alone is miserable.The outcomes of these main characters shows what Rand believes to be true: in the fight for our souls, those who stand strong against the currents of society will win, and those who conform will be left worthless.