Fountainhead: Morals in the working world

            It has been said that morals are one of the most precious possessions that a person can have. However, in the working world, many seem to forget their morals in order to climb the corporate ladder. In our own society woman use their sexuality to get the upper hand. Preconceived notions dictate that a person cannot be successful and keep their morals at the same time. The Fountainhead, written by Ayn Rand, seems to at first defend, then later, dispute these notions through characters and events. Ultimately, Rand's "weak" characters, those who don't keep their morals, eventually plummet, while the "strong" characters, those who retain their principles regardless of any pressure from society, eventually prevail.
             Peter Keating is Rand's description of a conniving parasite that leeches off of the work of others, in orders to rise quickly to the top of the architectural field. His methods of continuing his career show no regard to morals, but rather to the opinions of others. Keating even becomes so corrupt as to kill a man indirectly. His desire to be known as the greatest architect is stronger than any morals he might have. Keating starts off as a young and attractive architecture student. In the end, however, Rand does not permit the evil leech to overcome. He becomes a weak alcoholic nobody. Keating's victory is hollow. He never finds happiness and soon falls from his lofty position. .
             An ambitious, power hungry newsman, Gail Wynand, fights his way into the position as the top man in the industry. Wynand manipulates everyone around him until he is in the top chair, where he sells his soul and writes what society wants to read. His newspapers write about vulgar subjects because Wynand knows this is what the people crave. It sickens him to do it, but he does it for the thing he wants most power. .
             Although Wynand does become "head honcho" of the media his power is not as extensive as one might think.