The Fountainhead

The Fountainhead

by

Ayn Rand

Mike Donnigan Character Analysis

Mike Donnigan is an electrician whom Roark meets when he is out doing building inspections for Francon & Heyer (when he is briefly employed by that firm). Mike and Roark respect each other because they both care deeply about their work and are good at what they do. When Roark gets no architecture work and his money runs out, he comes to Mike for his help to get a job as construction worker. Mike can’t bear for Roark to work in the city, where he will be seen and mocked by other architects, so he arranges for him to work at Francon’s granite quarry in Connecticut. Mike feels bad for Roark, but Roark doesn’t—he needs to work for the money, and other people mocking him for it doesn’t matter to him. Mike remembers this, and later consoles Mallory when he is upset by the Stoddard trial. He tells Mallory that the quarry “made [Mike] very sick once, but then it turned out it [made] no difference at all, in the long run.” By his example, Roark teaches his friends how to be strong and Mike comes to believe in his resilience.
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Mike Donnigan Character Timeline in The Fountainhead

The timeline below shows where the character Mike Donnigan appears in The Fountainhead. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: Chapter 7
Integrity vs. Conformity Theme Icon
...is indignant. Roark takes his torch and does it himself. The electrician, whose name is Mike Donnigan, is very impressed by Roark’s expertise. Mike is “a master in his own field... (full context)
Part 1: Chapter 11
Individualism Theme Icon
When Roark goes to check on the construction of the house, he finds Mike the electrician working there. Though Mike doesn’t usually work on small projects like houses, he... (full context)
Integrity vs. Conformity Theme Icon
...often, resisting the temptation to work with his hands and build like he used to. Mike tells him “it’s indecent to be so happy.” While standing on the cliff, Roark observes... (full context)
Part 1: Chapter 15
Rationality vs. Emotion Theme Icon
...the key to the rental agent, saying he is closing it. Then, he goes to Mike Donnigan’s house and asks him to help him find a workman’s job. Mike is upset... (full context)