AP Language and Composition, Blog 2

1.) At the granite quarry, Dominique is deeply attracted to the red-headed worker who stares at her insolently. She pursues him aggressively, but resists him in the moment of her triumph. Given that Dominique is eager to make love to Roark, why does she physically resist? Ayn Rand once stated regarding this scene that, if it is rape, “then it is rape by engraved invitation.” What does she mean? Is this actually rape, i.e., is Dominique an unwilling victim?

I think Dominique wants to make love to Roark, but is afraid. She doesn’t think she’s ready, nor does she wants to get hurt. Dominique is inviting Roark. Ayn Rand quote, in my opinion, means if a person wouldn’t lead another person on, then the situation wouldn’t have happen. She wants it to look like rape.


4.) At Kiki Holcolmbe’s party, Keating gives advice to Roark. He says: “ Always be what people want you to be.” What is the meaning of such a statement? Why does Keating believe this? What does such an approach to life reveal about the soul of Keating and of people like him?

Basically, he is to act someone else wants him to act to have basically have people on your side. Kiki has very little confidence.


9.) Roark hires Mallory to do the sculpture for the Temple, but Mallory, despite his youth, is already bitter and disillusioned. What is the cause of Mallory’s nascent cynicism? What does Roark do that helps Mallory overcome his disillusionment? Are there similarities between Mallory’s early career and the life of Henry Cameron?

Roark only like his work and didn't care for anything but that saved Mallory. Roark didn’t show sympathy by giving him work. He needed the money.


5.) At the same party, Dominique thinks of Roark’s as “ the face of a god.” What is she responding to in Roark? In seeing such beauty in Roark’s face, an evaluation not shared by the rest of society, what does Dominique reveal about her own soul?


Roark and Dominique are both alike and leading individuals. This made Dominique fall for him even more. When she calls him “the face of a god” she is saying he is his own man, and is a leader. She understands him, while others don’t.


2.) At this point of Roark’s career he is hired by Roger Enright, Anthony Cord and Kent Lansing to construct major buildings. What kind of men are Enright, Cord and Lansing? Do they share some fundamental characteristic in common with each other and with Austen Heller? What does Lansing mean when he tells Roark that “ the shortest distance between two points is not a straight line--it’s a middleman?"


Roark is hired, by three men that have individualism in common. He seems to care about Roark. He basically tells him he don’t have to suck up to anyone, and to let all honesty out when it’s needed.