The Fountainhead: Part 4: Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Roark has just finished building a summer resort in Monadnock Valley. More than a year ago, he had gone to see Caleb Bradley, the head of the company that had bought the land, and was surprised when he’d landed the project. He demanded that Bradley sign and approve each plan, which he did. He “seemed delighted to let Roark have his way.” Roark didn’t think about him much for the next 18 months since he was so busy building “his greatest assignment.” He lived in a shanty on the land, joined by his old draftsmen and crew, many of whom gave up better jobs in the city to join him. They enjoy building and working together.

When Mallory first sees Bradley, he feels “anger without reason—and fear.” He tells Roark he suspects it will be like the Stoddard Temple all over again. Roark agrees, but says he cannot figure out exactly how or why. Still, he says, it doesn’t matter, because they got to build it, which is the only important part.

Before the resort is completed, Roark hears from Kent Lansing, who says he has finally gotten complete control over the Aquitania project and that Roark can now finish it. Roark is also busy with small projects—houses, shops, small office buildings—that he is hired to build around the country by people who’ve seen and admired some of his other work. When the resort is finally complete, he doesn’t have time to worry about it, but Mallory does, wondering why it isn’t being advertised.

However, within a month of being opened, every house in Monadnock Valley is rented by people who value its beauty and privacy. In October, Mallory rushes into Roark’s office with the newspaper, showing him an article about Bradley being arrested for fraud. He and his gang had sold 200% of its shares and had wanted it to fail. They thought the land was worthless, and had chosen Roark as “the worst architect they could find.” Roark laughs, finding the whole thing funny while Mallory is very upset. Roark wonders when Mallory and Dominique will stop thinking about the world. In the scandal that follows, Roark becomes suddenly famous in art circles. Austen Heller writes a passionate defense of him that generates a lot of buzz around his name, and he begins to get commissions.

In the spring of 1936, Roark is chosen to be part of a council of the country’s best architects to design a World’s Fair. Roark tells them that while he would be happy to work for them alone, he doesn’t work with “collectives” and that he “[doesn’t] consult, […] cooperate, […] collaborate.” People are offended at his refusal, and Toohey writes that it is evidence of Roark’s “egotism, the arrogance of the unbridled individualism which he has always personified.” In November, Roark comes into his office and his secretary excitedly tells him that Wynand wants to meet him the following day.