A Psychological Reading of The Fountainhead :: Fountainhead

A Psychological Reading of The Fountainhead Real independence is a trait of mind. It is a commitment to ones accept perception of reality as an absolute standard of thought and action. Why was this so hard for Peter Keating to distinguish between Self (what I am) and perfection Self (what I wish I were)? It is evident that Peter Keatings incongruent self-concept is the result of Keatings beliefs that conditional love from others could only be obtained by distorting his aims in coordinate to portray the Ideal Self. This form of personality development starts from childhood experiences and can be directly connected to the amount of congruence or incongruence of ones experience in life. Keating is a prime example of incongruency or someone that registers every little move inwardly the environment. Keating has a constant fear of what is perceived within the consciousness of others, which he spends his entire life trying to appease and control. (Rogers, 1961) Keating is basically a hypocrite, by saying one thing and acting in an antonym servicemanner. Keating is not the only hypocrite. Keating is relieved when he notices that Guy Francon is putting on a front for his benefit. It means that Francon too is a man like Keating, with the aforementioned(prenominal) attitude toward the consciousness of others. This authority of thinking was accurately described as Ayn Rand uses Roarks words in his last courtroom speech, The man who attempts to live for others is a dependent. He is a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves. The relationship produces nothing but mutual corruption. It is impossible in concept. The nearest approach to reality - the man who lives to serve others - is the slave. ( Fountainhead, p. 680) When Keating first proposes to Dominique, he speaks rapidly, easily, and so sure of himself it was not difficult. A lie is described as an effort to manipulate the consciousness of others, a way that comes too natural to Keating. Thoug h he is an intelligent man, not without some heart, he is fundamentally incapable of being honest. The concept of truth, the grasp of reality in Keatings mind is different and frightening. Rand uses the terminology second-hander to describe the Peter Keatings of the world. The choice is not self-sacrifice or domination. The choice is independence or dependence. The code of the creator or the second-hander.