Friday, May 15, 2009

BLOG 4

QUESTION 2:

Rand says that individualism will win and will be seen by everyone. Roark was unique, and had was very bound to interest someone.
Rand backs up her belief of individualism by showing Roark winning a losing battle with the supposed 'collective' society that exists. Roark was bound to be recognized and admired because of the uniqueness of every building he creates.

QUESTION 3:

Wynand has accepted society, while Roark hasn't. So, Wynand was going to notice Roark's work; it was supposed to be.
They are both men who are individualist in nature, and they the same woman (Dominique) and freedom. This makes them similar in so many ways.


QUESTION 5:


Roark's brillant design for the Cortlandt Homes is ruined by a number of factors. First, everyone believes that Keating made the design. By believing this, people make the assumption that Keating won't mind the alterations.

Second, the people who gave Keating the contact put in 'fine print' that they can change the design if they wanted. This prevented any attempts of Keating to maintain the exact design. Third, Toohey was behind something when it came to the building, so obviously he is likely to force the change.

QUESTION 6:



By supporting Keating, Toohey was supporting his cause. And, like Keating, Toohey supported numerous others based on the same principles.

When Toohey started his anti-Roark campaign, it took no effort at all to integrate it into his current efforts to destroy individualism.

QUESTION 9:

Wynand finally puts his own beliefs in his paper because he realizes he shouldn't hide himself from the public. His attempts to save Roark truly fail because of the vast change in The Banner's views and opinions.

No one was prepared to accept the new Banner, so the failure was likely despite Toohey's assistance. Wynand's dual-personality views hurt him now because no one knows which one is the 'real' Wynand. What people haven't realized is that Wynand is just like Roark, but didn't maintain his individualism until now. This is a behind-the-scenes event for the public.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

BLOG 3 FOUNTAINHEAD

QUESTION #1

Wynand is thinking of suicide because he, in my opinion, hates society, but goes along with it because it would be too difficult to go against it like Roark does. He creates a paper that is corrupt, like society and also because he is corrupt himself.

Dominique saves Wyand because she marries him, and finally makes him happy. He has never been happy before, and now with Dominique, he knows how it truly feels.

QUESTION #2

Dominique arrives just in time to save Wynand. This is because of Toohey. Toohey introduces Wynand to a structure of Dominique, which Wynand falls in love with.

I believe that Toohey did this because he wants Wynand to forget about the paper so he can run it. In my opinion, if it wasn't for Dominique accepting to marry Wynand, he would still control the paper, something that Toohey doesn't want. Wyand worked hard and backstabbed everyone just to release this paper, and now, someone is taking over.

QUESTION #3

Dominique warns Wynand that Toohey is replacing everyone that he appointed and putting people in charge that aren't able. She warns him and he doesn't seem to care.

Dominique is correct in every manner to warn him. She is trying to protect the one that keeps Wynand sane. She knows this, and this is why she warns him.


QUESTION #5

Wynand falls in love with Dominique in this part of the book. Dominique agrees to marry Wynand because in some strange way, he is something like Roark. He is strong and somewhat corrupt in his society. This, in a way, turns her on, like he did when she meet Roark.

Dominique treats Wynand differently than she did Keating. Because he is like Roark, she likes that mystery and strength that she had with Roark, but can get from him also. However, she later realizes that Wynand is nothing like Roark, and apologizes for marrying him.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Fountainhead Blog #1

1.) Explain in detail the reasons for Howard Roark's expulsion from the Stanton Institute of Technology. The Dean states that Roark has "a determined little group of defenders" among the faculty, while other professors "felt it their duty" to vote for his expulsion. Why do the faculty members on each side evaluate Roark and his work so differently?

Roark was expelled from Stanton because his work was too “extreme”. And because his work was too “extreme”, he fought for what he believed in. Thus, getting expelled from Stanton.
Roark was called into the Deans office on graduate day, and the Dean asked Roark back. Roark stated that he didn’t want to do the same thing over and over; he wanted to do his work, his way. The Dean explained that some of his Professors did want him to stay, but the disapproval of his work outweighed the approval.
The faculty views Roark as different because of how he works. He is “rude” to some, and a know-it-all to others. This attitude outraged the faculty of Stanton Institute of Technology.

3.) Peter Keating graduates as valedictorian from the Stanton Institute of Technology. Does this mean that he is an outstanding architectural student? By what methods did he get such high grades? What does this say regarding his moral character?

Because Peter graduated as valedictorian from his class doesn’t mean that he is a brilliant architect. Howard is a much better architect then him. And at one time, Peter was afraid that Howard would beat him in ranks. However, Howard was expelled, hence the reason Peter stopped worrying about him.
There was also Shlinker, who was very close to beating Peter, but Peter excelled. If Peter was truly the best architect, he shouldn’t have to worry about others beating him and he should just design, like Howard does. He was only valedictorian because he did what he was told, and when he needed help, he asked for Howard’s help.
Asking for Howard’s proved that he was weak and needed more schooling. But he had two offers and felt that he was good enough to go through in his career. This once again proved that his moral character was extremely weak.

5.) Roark gains employment with Henry Cameron. Cameron, though a genius, is a commercial failure. Why has society rejected his work? Why does Roark nevertheless revere him? What qualities do Roark and Cameron share in common? What is the fundamental difference between them and Francon and Keating?

Society has rejected Cameron because of his status in the public. Once successful, Cameron did buildings that stunned even the greatest architects. Because of these amazing building, less and less people turned to Cameron to design stunning buildings.
Roark goes to work for Cameron because he feels that Cameron is still as amazing as he once was. Even when people disagreed with Roark’s decision (Keating), Roark thought that Cameron could teach him everything that he needs to be a successful architect. Plus, Roark and Cameron were so alike in that they both design buildings that awe people. They both push the boundaries.
Francon and Keating are, in my opinion, “fence riders”. They do what others want. While it is important to listen to the customers, originality is just as important. Roark and Cameron build buildings that represents them and their style.

6.) Citing specifics from the story, describe the means by which Keating seeks to rise to the top of Francon's firm? Explain the meaning of Keating's methods. Why do they work at Francon's? Would Keating's methods work similarly well at Cameron's? Why?

Keating is really a smart backstabber. Francon’s partner, Stengel, was fired after Keating told on him. Once Stengel was fired, Keating became chief.
Keating’s work wouldn’t work at all at Cameron’s office. Cameron has a different personality then Francon. Keating can easily get over on Francon, while Cameron is more of a stern and hardworking employer. It doesn’t help that Cameron has a smaller business then Francon.




7.) Though Keating often leaves Catherine Halsey waiting weeks for him to call, the author makes it clear that Catherine is special to him. How does the author show Keating's love for Catherine? In contrast to Keating's motive for pursuing his other values (in work, for e.g.), what personal significance does his relationship with Catherine have? What fate will befall Peter if he betrays his love for her?

Peter is madly in love with Katie, or Catherine. He makes this clear in one particular way. Once he found out who her father was, Ellsworth Toohey, an established architect critic, he avoided meeting him through Katie. He didn’t want to use her.
His personal significance with Katie is that he desperately loves her. Whenever he is sad and needs cheering up, he can either visit her or just the memory of her excites him.
Peter is hoping to marry Katie early in the book. He said after he has his feet planted in his job, he will marry her. But after a night that Katie freaked over her Uncle, Peter agrees to marry her, proving his love for her. Later, Peter takes back his marriage agreement that he made the night before.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Blog Five


1.) What does the Uncharted Forest symbolize in Anthem?


In my opinion, the Uncharted Forest symbolizes how the earth used to be. I guess you could say it symbolizes freedom too. In the forest, you don’t have to worry about being told what to do; while in the city, you are told everything that you are to do and how you are suppose to do it.

2.) Describe the house from Chapter X and its contents in your own words, and explain why Liberty and Equality find it so strange and unique.


The house was a home of someone during the Unmentionable times. The house is something that we live in now. It has electricity (although Equality needs to find out how to fix it), mirrors that they can see themselves in for the first time, bedrooms, colorful clothes, a kitchen, windows, and a fireplace. They find it so strange and unique because they aren’t used to it. They have never seen themselves in a mirror, so they don’t know what to think.

3.) Explain the following quotes from Chapter XI in your own words, and discuss how they can be applied to your life:


a) “Whatever road I take, the guiding star is within me.”
b) “For the word 'We' must never be spoken, save by one’s choice and as a second thought.”


A: This quote means, to me, that he will only follow the guiding star for now, and will never follow another man.
B: The quote is an extremely powerful one. When he said, “A second thought”, he meant that we will always remember his past, and what he was always told to do. But it is still one’s choice if he wants to use it or not, because in this new world, everyone is free.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Blog 4

1.) In a well-organized paragraph, describe the society in which Anthem is set. Some areas to consider are the political structure, degree of technology, social relationships, quality of life, and education. Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not.

The society in Anthem is an extremely different type of society then we are used to now. First, there is no technology that is described in Anthem. There are machines that the workers use, but there are really no computers, cellphones, or other electronics. Secondly, the social relationships are greatly separated. There are different social relationships for every job, and you aren’t allowed to communicate with any other job type. Lastly, the quality of life and education aren’t ideal. The quality of life is basically to just get by. There is food, water, and sleeping places, and that’s really all. And the education is really bad. If you are a street sweeper, you don’t get the same education of a Scholar. This isn’t really fair, but neither is anything in Anthem.

2.) When does this novel take place—in the past, the present, or the future? How do you know? Please provide specific clues from the text.

I feel that the novel takes place in the future. For some reason, I feel that the tunnel Equality finds is something created by our generation. Plus, Anthem is a good example of how society could become.

3.) What does Equality discover in this Chapter III? How important is this discovery? Describe 4–5 ways in which it would help society, and make life easier or more enjoyable.

Equality finds light. It is an extremely important discovery because it is the first time he has experienced something like this. It would help society to see better, some of the workers stay out latter, buildings would be lit, and it would be less of a fire risk using lights instead of burning candles.

6.) What is Equality experiencing for the first time in Chapter VIII, and what does he feel as a result? Also, explain why Equality laughs when he remembers that he is “the Damned.”

Equality is experiencing freedom. He has always be used to someone telling him what to do. And now that he is the only one, all along in the forest, he feels free. He can sleep in, eat what and when he wants, and do whatever he pleases. He laughs when he remembers he is “the Damned” because this was the first time this has happened to him or the society, and he feels glad to have gotten away, in my opinion.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Blog #3

1. A world with “selves” or “I” would be a true disaster. Everyone would be piled together in a single group and most depend on one another just to survive. No one would be truly happy because you’ll feel that you were working harder then everyone else. A life with “I” would be hell…enough said.
3. “Equality 7-2521”, “International 4-8818”, and “The Golden One” are very wise names used for the characters so far in the book. “The Golden One” is originally called “Liberty 5-3000” and was renamed by Equality 7-2521 because in his, or should I say We, eyes she is golden, pure, and the most amazing thing in the world. While I am not sure why International 4-8818 is called this, but I am guessing that name means that he can do anything, but was chosen to be a street sweeper. And finally Equality 7-2521’s name is this because everyone is equal in their society. He is just one out of many, hence the We.
4.
What do I think that the Unspeakable word is? I honestly think that it is “I”. No one in the book talks about “self”, “me”, or “I”. So, when the transgressor spoke the Unspoken Word, he probably said “I” and was punished because of this. It would be Unspeakable in society because the world they are in is a “Society” and doesn’t belong to just one person, like it does today. And like it was said in the book, the Transgressor spoke this Unspoken word and had his tongue pulled out and was burned at the stake. People looked at him like he was a demon because he said this word.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

ANTHEM (BLOG #2)

A.
Leonard Peikoff wrote in the Introduction of Anthem, "But reason is a property of the individual. There is no such thing as a collective brain." I completely agree with what Peikoff was saying. You, as an individual, were born with the skill of reasoning and solving problems independently. And since you were born with reasoning, there should be no one who can tell you what to do and how to do it. That is what collectism is. Other people tell you what you should believe and how you should believe it. You can't make decisions for yourself, even though they make hurt or destory you as a human being. That is why, as an individual, you are to believe what you want, when you want, how you want.
As for the super-computer theory, I agree with that. I feel that in the future, a computer will make major decisions for you. Do I think that this is a good think? No! Possibly because that computer doesn't weigh out all of the options of how that decision will effect you in life. Whether that decision will make you sick, make you dispressed, or even worse, kill you in the end. A super-computer, with even more brain power then the smartest person on Earth, will make these decisions, and we will be so depended on them that we fully give up on our own thoughts of reasoning.
So, in conclusion, I completely agree with the statement that Peikoff made.

B.
When Ayn Rand said "I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals , and I loathe humanity, for its failure to live up to these possibilities.", she meant, in my opinion, that those who make decisions for themselves as an individual, she worships. However, those who depend on the opinons of others and what they find is right or wrong, she feels are not on the same level as those who make decisions as an individual. You can live up to these possibilites because you are your own person, with your own brain, and your own well.

D.

I feel that America gives us the chance to be individualist, but we take it for granted. We given the right to vote, but we don't because we are infunced by others, and just because they don't vote, you don't. Or you go to the movies with your friends, and you watch the movie they want to watch because they are watching it and you don't want to voice your opinion. These examples, are in a way, that of a collective society, and not an individual society. America isn't like China though. China's whole culture is collective. The Ruler tells you when to pray, and who to pray to, and what to do. If he says "JUMP", you had better say "HOW HIGH?" or you are done with. I don't think that America will ever get like this. I feel that there will always be those who believe that a collective society would help America become stronger, and grow, but these people are uneducated and extremely lazy individuals who are not only a disgrace to their country, but to the world. A country of individualism means that everyone makes the decisions for themselves, and no one person, makes a decision for everyone, i.e. CHINA. Individualism is freedom, it is what America should be based on. Individualism is life; it is how you should live your life every moment of every day.