Love it or hate it, Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" is quite the novel!.
Although I have yet to finish this extraordinary literary achievement, I was wondering about the precise meaning of this early exchange between Dominique Francon and Ellsworth Toohey:
Toohey: "For instance, it was interesting to discover [that Howard Roark] appears good-looking to you!. It's nice to have you classified firmly, concretely!. Without words—just with the aid of a certain face!."
Francon: "If !. !. !. if you can see what you're talking about, you can't be what you are!."
Toohey: "No, my dear!. I must be what I am, precisely because of what I see!."
Francon: "You know, Ellsworth, I think you're much worse than I thought you were!."
P!. 269
As towering intellectuals, Dominique and Ellsworth both take note of the greatness displayed by Howard!. In fact, this is the source of Dominique’s affection for Howard, and of her disdain for Ellsworth, who chooses to live an opposite life!.
But she is surprised to learn that Ellsworth has extensive knowledge of morality, which leads her to remark, “I think you’re much worse than I thought you were!.”
For if Ellsworth understands the depths of goodness, shouldn't he live his life in accordance with it, rather than opposite to it!?
Is my analysis of this passage correct!?Www@QuestionHome@Com