The Fountainhead

Main Characters and Their Development

• Howard Roark: The protagonist of the book, an architect who adheres to his principles and ideas despite societal pressure and resistance. Roark symbolizes individualism and creative freedom. His development involves unwavering adherence to his beliefs and achieving success on his own terms.
• Peter Keating: Roark's antagonist, an architect who seeks success through manipulation and compromise. Keating represents the opposite of Roark, and his development shows how abandoning one's ideals for public recognition leads to internal collapse.
• Dominique Francon: Roark's love interest, a complex and contradictory character. She admires Roark but also fears and resents his steadfastness. Dominique's journey moves from cynicism and despair to acceptance and support of Roark's ideals.
• Ellsworth Toohey: An influential critic and journalist who seeks to destroy Roark and his ideas. Toohey symbolizes collectivism and the pursuit of power through control over public opinion. His development shows how manipulation and the quest for power can destroy a person.
• Gail Wynand: A newspaper owner and friend of Roark, torn between his ideals and the need to compromise for success. Wynand symbolizes the struggle between personal convictions and societal expectations. His development illustrates the tragedy of a man unable to fully follow his ideals.