Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
Free Thinking
Howard Roark once declared that "the world is perishing from an orgy of self-sacrifice." It was instilled in me at an early stage of development that I should be living at the mercy of others. Unfortunately, I was never one to protest during childhood, so I grudgingly accepted the act out of some tenuous fear of rejection. I soon entered the phase of free thought. Long before I knew of Howard Roark, long before I knew of objectivism, I had begun formulating my own ideas about how I should be living life. I wanted to live for myself, but I had no practical knowledge of how to implement my semblance of "selfishness" into everyday life. I faced the challenge of balancing a necessary respect for myself with the relationships I shared with the people around me.
Roark is not some civil rights hero, nor is he some television superstar. Roark is the protagonist of The Fountainhead, a 1943 novel written by Ayn Rand. When I first began reading, I was intimidated by Howard Roark; he was the very embodiment of the objectivist philosophy, the idea that we should live for our own self-interests. I was afraid to venture out of my lifestyle, the one where I was dependent upon the free thinking of those whom I served. As the "quiet kid" in school, I sat wordlessly and expected other students to arrive at the answers during group discussions. Though I had thoughts zooming left and right, I was afraid to voice my opinions because of what they might think. I allowed for no personal liberties, instead bending to the will of those around me. Even on nights when I had a stack of work to complete, I felt guilty refusing friends' offers to take a break. I was the very thing Roark despised. Nevertheless, I looked to him for support when I made the decision to discontinue my submissive ways.
Howard Roark was not a man to deviate from his ideals, even in the face of violent criticism. I slowly began shaping my actions around the idea of objectivism - I often found myself asking, "What would Roark do?" Within the few months I have been acquainted with him, I have already discovered that a profound transformation has occurred. I no longer feel guilty when asked out for an evening of merriment and decline. I no longer worry about what society will think of my personal beliefs. I no longer bend to the every fancy of others. I have again begun thinking freely - a skill I convinced myself had vanished years ago - and I am happier with who I am becoming because of it.
The transition was difficult and is one I still face with some dithering today. While I am now able to speak my thoughts without a care as to what outsiders will think, I am still stricken with an inexplicable panic acting as the centerpiece in a group discussion. Though I maintain that sense of unease when living for myself, I am gradually evolving into the "heroic being" envisioned by Ayn Rand. She stated it best when she said that man has "his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life." Roark is my paladin; I easily sympathized with his plight because it was an objective I struggled to obtain for years due to internal inhibitions. He helped me realize that, being trapped in a single existence, I must make it my own. He showed me that rejection doesn't necessarily mean failure, and that true happiness is only achieved when living for your own self-interests. All I needed in order to perpetuate that idea was a catalyst, and that catalyst came in the form of Howard Roark.
Re-Open Thread Closed ✓
I've struggled with this one for weeks and cannot seem to get it right. Any and all help appreciated!
Free Thinking
Howard Roark once declared that "the world is perishing from an orgy of self-sacrifice." It was instilled in me at an early stage of development that I should be living at the mercy of others. Unfortunately, I was never one to protest during childhood, so I grudgingly accepted the act out of some tenuous fear of rejection. I soon entered the phase of free thought. Long before I knew of Howard Roark, long before I knew of objectivism, I had begun formulating my own ideas about how I should be living life. I wanted to live for myself, but I had no practical knowledge of how to implement my semblance of "selfishness" into everyday life. I faced the challenge of balancing a necessary respect for myself with the relationships I shared with the people around me.
Roark is not some civil rights hero, nor is he some television superstar. Roark is the protagonist of The Fountainhead, a 1943 novel written by Ayn Rand. When I first began reading, I was intimidated by Howard Roark; he was the very embodiment of the objectivist philosophy, the idea that we should live for our own self-interests. I was afraid to venture out of my lifestyle, the one where I was dependent upon the free thinking of those whom I served. As the "quiet kid" in school, I sat wordlessly and expected other students to arrive at the answers during group discussions. Though I had thoughts zooming left and right, I was afraid to voice my opinions because of what they might think. I allowed for no personal liberties, instead bending to the will of those around me. Even on nights when I had a stack of work to complete, I felt guilty refusing friends' offers to take a break. I was the very thing Roark despised. Nevertheless, I looked to him for support when I made the decision to discontinue my submissive ways.
Howard Roark was not a man to deviate from his ideals, even in the face of violent criticism. I slowly began shaping my actions around the idea of objectivism - I often found myself asking, "What would Roark do?" Within the few months I have been acquainted with him, I have already discovered that a profound transformation has occurred. I no longer feel guilty when asked out for an evening of merriment and decline. I no longer worry about what society will think of my personal beliefs. I no longer bend to the every fancy of others. I have again begun thinking freely - a skill I convinced myself had vanished years ago - and I am happier with who I am becoming because of it.
The transition was difficult and is one I still face with some dithering today. While I am now able to speak my thoughts without a care as to what outsiders will think, I am still stricken with an inexplicable panic acting as the centerpiece in a group discussion. Though I maintain that sense of unease when living for myself, I am gradually evolving into the "heroic being" envisioned by Ayn Rand. She stated it best when she said that man has "his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life." Roark is my paladin; I easily sympathized with his plight because it was an objective I struggled to obtain for years due to internal inhibitions. He helped me realize that, being trapped in a single existence, I must make it my own. He showed me that rejection doesn't necessarily mean failure, and that true happiness is only achieved when living for your own self-interests. All I needed in order to perpetuate that idea was a catalyst, and that catalyst came in the form of Howard Roark.
Re-Open Thread Closed ✓
I've struggled with this one for weeks and cannot seem to get it right. Any and all help appreciated!