Sep. 7, Part 1, Chapters 6-10

[Deb]

Questions to consider:


1. The design of the Cosmo-Slotnick Building establishes Keating's fame. What is the nature of Keating's relationship with Roark at this point in the story? Why does Keating both approach him for advice and help and take pleasure in making him perform menial tasks while an employee at Francon's? Why does Keating feel a need to degrade the man who is his meal ticket?

2.) Cameron and Roark, though brilliant designers, get few commissions. At one point, Cameron urges Roark to surrender his principles and design conventionally. Given that Cameron himself neither did nor would do such a thing, what is the meaning of that scene? What does Ayn Rand stress about the price paid by great creative thinkers in a society that does not recognize the merit of their new ideas?

3.) Austen Heller hires Roark to build a private home, giving him his first commission. What qualities does Heller possess that enable him to recognize the merit of Roark's work when virtually the entire society does not? Despite the professional differences between Heller and Roark's other supporters, e.g., Mike, Mallory, Enright, et. al., what fundamental attribute do they share in common? What point does the author make regarding the ability to recognize genius?

4.) The character of Dominique Francon is introduced in this section. Dominique criticizes the work of her own father in her newspaper column and recognizes the fraudulent nature of Keating's work and character, though many admire him. What does Ayn Rand thereby show the reader about Dominique? Why is this important for the reader's ability to understand her coming relationship with Roark?

[Deb]

After meeting last week to discuss these chapters, we decided we needed to revisit chapters 9 and 10. We both got a little confused at the rally--who was on whose side.

Anyone have insights into the trance that Peter and Kathy seem to fall under during Toohey's speech?

Also, anyone find that Rand's secondary characters seem difficult to track? What is it about her writing style or character descriptions that make them forgettable? Major players like Dominique and Peter and Howard and Kathy stay fresh, but I'm forever getting the rest of them confused. Am I alone in this?

We'll discuss chapters 9-13 next week.