The Fountainhead: Howard Roark: 18-20

In the Roark trial, the prosecution accuses Roark of being something "monstrous and inconceivable"—an egotist. The arresting officer, the night watchman, and other witnesses testify. Keating affirms that it was Roark who designed Cortlandt Homes. The contract is brandished. The prosecution rests. Roark rises to give his statement. It runs 7½ pages.

The man who discovered how to make fire, Roark says, was probably burned at the stake. The inventor of the wheel was probably torn on the rack.

(What? The same guy invented the wheel and the rack?)

Let's face it. There are a few creators; everyone else is a poopyhead second-hander. Creators are not out to help anyone else; they are merely seekers of truth. Second-handers glom off creators' creations. They are parasites.

The creator operates out of his own self, his ego. The ego is the truthiest thing.

There is no collective mind. There are only individuals. Agreements, committee decisions—these are secondary things.

Altruists depend on others for validation. Depending on others is slavery. Slavery—physical bondage—is bad. Altruism—mental bondage—is bad squared.

Second-handers agree with others; they swim with the current. Creators disagree. The creator's virtue is his ability to stand by himself.

Independence is good. Interdependence is evil.

I created Cortlandt Homes. Second-handers perverted it. As its creator, I had the right to destroy it.

This is a great country, built by creators, not second-handers. If I am sentenced to ten years in prison, I will serve my term in memory of what a great country this used to be.

Roark says all these things, and more besides. The prosecution sums up its case. The jury spends a few seconds in the jury room before returning with a verdict of not guilty.

Roger Enright buys the Cortlandt site and has Roark rebuild the project in his own pure vision.

Wynand gets his divorce.

Toohey brings a wrongful termination case before the labor board. He wins. Wynand tells him to report to work the evening of the ruling. Toohey reports, sits at his old desk, and listens to the presses running; Wynand stand nearby. Then the presses stop. Wynand: Hope you enjoyed your job. It's over. I have shut down the Banner.

Toohey finds another job.

Wynand invites Roark to his office and formally invites him to design and construct the Wynand building. It will be the world's tallest skyscraper. Roark accepts and they sign the contract. Wynand specifies that this is the last contact the two of them will have.

Eighteen months later, Dominique comes to the Wynand building construction site. A hoist carries her up, up into the sky. Waiting for her at the top of the universe is Howard Roark.

THE END

I'll have some closing comments anon.