Post by Black Sakura on Sept 1, 2006 4:23:03 GMT -5
Ayn Rand was a strongly-founded atheist, a quality that added to her ability to achieve greatness. Rand formulated her philosophical standpoint of her religion when she found herself at a fork in her metaphorical road. This decision was to view and interpret the world as an atheist instead of remaining a Jew in the traditional manner of her family. Her religion contributed her to founding of a theory of individualism, unrestrained by godliness and arrogance tenets. Thus, her decision to become an atheist was a very essential one, for without it, Rand would not have written her many books and the world would have remained ignorant of her philosophy.
Another quality that Rand advocated and embodied was individualism. Many of her fictional books were founded on that concept, including Anthem and We the Living. Individualism is a system that emphasizes the importance of not following the flock and of being one's own self, unique. In Rand's book Anthem, the main character, named Equality 7-2521, lives in an advanced civilization in which everyone is considered perfectly equal. However, Equality 7-2521's new ideas and discoveries were disrespected; he was not supposed to create any revolutionary breakthroughs in the world of science since he was a street sweeper. Angered by the colony in which he was trapped, he absconded with his invention so that he might continue to think on his own. This book illustrated the importance of individualism and shows how essential it was to Rand.
Rand found her father as someone useful with whom to discuss her speculations and ideals. Her father was an encourager, sympathetic to individualism, as well as a role model. Had her father not acted as a sounding board for her ideas, Rand may not have influenced so many people as she did with her ideas of individualism.
Another particular quality of Rand was that she was a staunch anti-totalitarian; she disdained socialism and communism. This greatly influenced her writings in most of her books, especially Anthem and We the Living. Those people who read her books came to better understanding of Rand's anti-totalitarianism. Rand was so vehement and enthusiastic about her theories and ideals that it would have been impossible for her to revert from them. She was so bold as to even defy the ideals of the all-powerful Soviet Union as she was completely against what it represented. Rand was born in Russia, but left it and its socialism behind at the age of 21.
Fame was another Rand achievement. Rand valued her position as a celebrated writer and philosopher in the United States, and, later, the world. Her ideas wormed their way into the brains of young readers and old readers alike. As a public figure, Rand was invited to social and historic events, such as the launching of the famed Apollo 11. Rand realized that her opinion meant a great deal to many people, and she enjoyed that power. She went on to express her views in her tabloids and news-columns, aside from her many books, plays, and stories that she published.
Rand demonstrated that she had the initiative to finish quality novels of length. She had known that her great novel, The Fountainhead, would either make her or break her. The Fountainhead did unexpectedly well. The plot of the book was rather complicated; the entire duration of it appears to be the story of two characters (Howard Roark and Peter Keating) and one plot involving both of them. Near the end, however, the reader discovers that the plot has really been two parallel plots, the second being conducted by Ellsworth Toohey, the unknown antagonist of the book. The whole book in itself is 694 pages, which is obviously very lengthy. It seems appropriate that Rand's crowning achievement should be so extensive. The book was an immediate success.
Originality was another successful quality that Rand possessed. Her ability to present new concepts in a refreshing manner appealed greatly to the younger generation, who found the books, plays, and editorials she wrote interesting. The actual ideals and philosophy themselves were fascinating to people who were trying to break free from older traditions and religions. They were seeking their own breaths of fresh air, as opposed to the dirty, smutty fog that choked their lungs and forced them to hold their breaths. They found that fresh air in Rand's formulas and philosophy, were anxious to apply the systems she presented to their own, imperfect, measly little lives.
Rand's personal character also was marked with passion; she tended to get very involved in whatever greatly interested her. This quality was mirrored by figures in her books. For instance, Howard Roark, from Rand's The Fountainhead, was a self-proclaimed egoist, obsessed with his buildings. He was not afraid to go off the beaten road to complete and build what he considered to be beautiful. Even though it was hard for Roark, he eventually found his niche in a society of architects. Rand was a real, authoress version of Howard Roark. Despite the fact that she struggled to get herself on her feet, she succeeded, with passion as a strength.
Rand had insight, another quality that led to her success. Rand was able to freely express her views of objectivism. She was the founder of this way of thinking, a new conception of the world. Objectivism includes the concept of being so selfish that, in reality, one is really unselfish. This means that one is living for one's self as opposed to living for the common benefit of others. This philosophy was what Rand built into her books, her plays, and her life. It meant a great deal to her, and it continues to affect people of all ages today. Perhaps this philosophy is one of Rand's greatest contributions to the world in general.
Rand's writing was still well-respected even decades after her first book. However, if it had not been for her quality of stubborn determination, there may never have been a first book. In Rand's lifetime, she was confronted with many obstacles. Rand was met with the barrier of her Jewish heritage, which forbade the morals and philosophy she advocated. She conquered that by becoming an atheist. Then, there was the socialist information blockade in Russia; she was not allowed to think outside of what was accepted. This she also defeated by escaping to the freedom of the United States. In America, she met with more troubles, but she managed to dodge every bullet the world fired at her. In her life, she managed to yank the noose off her neck and scream her name into the blackness, and gain a world of response.
Of course, one of Rand's greatest attributes of all was one of the more obvious: she was a proficient, eloquent writer. Despite the fact that some people never paid attention to her and proved to be Rand's complete opposites and that other people listened to her words and stole her philosophy, some great people, nevertheless, did advocate her ideals. These principles, of course, would never have been taken notice of at all had she not had a way with words, or if she had not known how to present them to the world. However, due to her outstanding literary techniques and skills she was able to convey her philosophy. At the end of her career, she felt as though she certainly had made a statement in her life's work. One phrase that comes to mind when thinking of Rand might be, "The pen is mightier than the sword." Perhaps that sage adage is indeed fitting for her.
Another quality that Rand advocated and embodied was individualism. Many of her fictional books were founded on that concept, including Anthem and We the Living. Individualism is a system that emphasizes the importance of not following the flock and of being one's own self, unique. In Rand's book Anthem, the main character, named Equality 7-2521, lives in an advanced civilization in which everyone is considered perfectly equal. However, Equality 7-2521's new ideas and discoveries were disrespected; he was not supposed to create any revolutionary breakthroughs in the world of science since he was a street sweeper. Angered by the colony in which he was trapped, he absconded with his invention so that he might continue to think on his own. This book illustrated the importance of individualism and shows how essential it was to Rand.
Rand found her father as someone useful with whom to discuss her speculations and ideals. Her father was an encourager, sympathetic to individualism, as well as a role model. Had her father not acted as a sounding board for her ideas, Rand may not have influenced so many people as she did with her ideas of individualism.
Another particular quality of Rand was that she was a staunch anti-totalitarian; she disdained socialism and communism. This greatly influenced her writings in most of her books, especially Anthem and We the Living. Those people who read her books came to better understanding of Rand's anti-totalitarianism. Rand was so vehement and enthusiastic about her theories and ideals that it would have been impossible for her to revert from them. She was so bold as to even defy the ideals of the all-powerful Soviet Union as she was completely against what it represented. Rand was born in Russia, but left it and its socialism behind at the age of 21.
Fame was another Rand achievement. Rand valued her position as a celebrated writer and philosopher in the United States, and, later, the world. Her ideas wormed their way into the brains of young readers and old readers alike. As a public figure, Rand was invited to social and historic events, such as the launching of the famed Apollo 11. Rand realized that her opinion meant a great deal to many people, and she enjoyed that power. She went on to express her views in her tabloids and news-columns, aside from her many books, plays, and stories that she published.
Rand demonstrated that she had the initiative to finish quality novels of length. She had known that her great novel, The Fountainhead, would either make her or break her. The Fountainhead did unexpectedly well. The plot of the book was rather complicated; the entire duration of it appears to be the story of two characters (Howard Roark and Peter Keating) and one plot involving both of them. Near the end, however, the reader discovers that the plot has really been two parallel plots, the second being conducted by Ellsworth Toohey, the unknown antagonist of the book. The whole book in itself is 694 pages, which is obviously very lengthy. It seems appropriate that Rand's crowning achievement should be so extensive. The book was an immediate success.
Originality was another successful quality that Rand possessed. Her ability to present new concepts in a refreshing manner appealed greatly to the younger generation, who found the books, plays, and editorials she wrote interesting. The actual ideals and philosophy themselves were fascinating to people who were trying to break free from older traditions and religions. They were seeking their own breaths of fresh air, as opposed to the dirty, smutty fog that choked their lungs and forced them to hold their breaths. They found that fresh air in Rand's formulas and philosophy, were anxious to apply the systems she presented to their own, imperfect, measly little lives.
Rand's personal character also was marked with passion; she tended to get very involved in whatever greatly interested her. This quality was mirrored by figures in her books. For instance, Howard Roark, from Rand's The Fountainhead, was a self-proclaimed egoist, obsessed with his buildings. He was not afraid to go off the beaten road to complete and build what he considered to be beautiful. Even though it was hard for Roark, he eventually found his niche in a society of architects. Rand was a real, authoress version of Howard Roark. Despite the fact that she struggled to get herself on her feet, she succeeded, with passion as a strength.
Rand had insight, another quality that led to her success. Rand was able to freely express her views of objectivism. She was the founder of this way of thinking, a new conception of the world. Objectivism includes the concept of being so selfish that, in reality, one is really unselfish. This means that one is living for one's self as opposed to living for the common benefit of others. This philosophy was what Rand built into her books, her plays, and her life. It meant a great deal to her, and it continues to affect people of all ages today. Perhaps this philosophy is one of Rand's greatest contributions to the world in general.
Rand's writing was still well-respected even decades after her first book. However, if it had not been for her quality of stubborn determination, there may never have been a first book. In Rand's lifetime, she was confronted with many obstacles. Rand was met with the barrier of her Jewish heritage, which forbade the morals and philosophy she advocated. She conquered that by becoming an atheist. Then, there was the socialist information blockade in Russia; she was not allowed to think outside of what was accepted. This she also defeated by escaping to the freedom of the United States. In America, she met with more troubles, but she managed to dodge every bullet the world fired at her. In her life, she managed to yank the noose off her neck and scream her name into the blackness, and gain a world of response.
Of course, one of Rand's greatest attributes of all was one of the more obvious: she was a proficient, eloquent writer. Despite the fact that some people never paid attention to her and proved to be Rand's complete opposites and that other people listened to her words and stole her philosophy, some great people, nevertheless, did advocate her ideals. These principles, of course, would never have been taken notice of at all had she not had a way with words, or if she had not known how to present them to the world. However, due to her outstanding literary techniques and skills she was able to convey her philosophy. At the end of her career, she felt as though she certainly had made a statement in her life's work. One phrase that comes to mind when thinking of Rand might be, "The pen is mightier than the sword." Perhaps that sage adage is indeed fitting for her.
