How Does Roark Have Integrity

“Anthem” – one of writing authors Ayn Rand, shows her at her most vicious, hungry, and ambitious reading personality not only as a writer, but as a storyteller as well. The classic hit novel “Anthem” is the predecessor to Ayn Rands later books and storytelling works such as “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”, often tackles controversial themes that are still prevalent within modern America today, such as Family & Love. The grandeur novel “Anthem” is a reflection of such topics, all whilst being told with almost an aura of mystery within the novels plotline / storyline. “Anthem’s” take on things such as individuality and self discovery along with universal, self serving terms such as “I” & the word “We” are the key factors in helping differinciate this author Ayn Rand from other authors that write and compse the same genre of literature as Ayn Rand. Anyways, please allow for me to introduce you to the under the surface, deeper themes expressed in the classic debut novel, Ayn Rands “Anthem”

Integrity is when you do the right thing, even when nobody's watching. “You working with a group cutting bushes in the woods when two of the men started to argue Joe looked up and saw the guy slapping angrily toward each other both raising their axes, and without thinking Joe jumped between the men ‘you give me your axe’ he demanded of one, then he turned to the other ‘and you give me your axe’. Joe took the axes and the fight was over.” (131) Joe showed integrity in that situation because he did the right thing, even if it meant potentially putting himself in danger, even when no one was watching.

When Roark visits the Cortlandt site, he realizes that something has changed and he decides to dynamite the whole building. He does not his project to be trampled and modified by someone else. His honor triumphs within seconds of total destruction in Cortaland. His actions as an individualist take him to court as a "criminal." His philosophical speech is the key to defend his beliefs against this "alleged culpability." In his speech Roark mentions: "I designed Cortland... I destroyed because I did not choose to let it exist... The form was mutilated by two second-handers who assumed the right to improve that which they had not made and could not equal." (716) "I will spend in jail... It will be my act of loyalty... My act of loyalty to every creator" (717) Roark acts completely different from any other "criminal." Roark's willing to pay his crime because he is perfectly satisfied with what he did. He will not permit a second-hander pollute the work of a creator. At the end, the judge declares him "Not guilty" and it's the consequence of an act of courage by Roark. "The prosecutor raised no objection.. he felt certain that he won the case. No one remembered what he said." (718) Roark made such an impression in the public that no one even remembered what the prosecutor had said. Everyone in the courtroom was shocked because they knew that Roark's words were the most realistic representation of the truth. They knew that an innovator is totally indispensable for a society. Roark is determined to spend year in jail just to defend what "Every creator lived, struggled and perished." (717) Roark's principles and autonomy were damaged but he gained his freedom because the judge and all the people know that people like Howard Roark are a necessity to the society. They realized that what these creators provide the world is not an obsolete product. Their creations

After moving from soviet Russia to the United States in 1926, Ayn Rand became a well known playwright, author, and philosopher. Rand is well-known for her philosophical system, objectivism. Objectivism stresses that happiness is the most important goal one should have. All of these ideas and philosophies are present in the novel Rand composed, Anthem. In this collectivist society the people act as robots as they carry out their lives with little emotion, limited technology, and the constant threat of punishment. The atmosphere of this novel depicts a society with very rare opposition to the leadership because the people whom it is made up of have no reason to oppose it and since they are constantly threatened with punishments.

Integrity isn’t always an easy road to follow. Integrity to me is being honest, truthful, reliable, and calm in times of stress. Its not easy having integrity. A lot of times Integrity put you in a situation of doing what’s right even if there is no benefit to you for do it. Integrity is being honest when a cashier gives you too much money back.

Integrity isn’t a black and white definition, one may think they are doing what is right based off of their own conscience. Different values allow people to have different interpretations of integrity, so multiple “integrities” must exist. One can have passionate feelings about a situation that is viewed as unethical while someone, else can have strong integrity for a case that is seen as moral. However, there are certain qualities that show the strength of the integrity no matter the situation. These qualities are present in the main character’s actions in To Kill a Mockingbird, a historical fiction by Harper Lee. In this book, the Finches, especially Atticus, are faced with the racist society of Maycomb, Alabama because of their opposing moral values. Similarly, in the Power of One, another historical fiction by Bryce Courtenay, PK also goes against a racist society. Everyone around him is taught to dislike the African Americans, however, since he was once in their position when he was younger, experiencing racism, he felt equality between everyone. He built a school against the views of everyone else and didn’t care if he got in trouble for it. Both of their sacrifices are in pursuit of justice and equality and they both disregard the consequences that accompany their actions. Through these books and the character’s actions, an interpretation of integrity can be devised. Integrity is defined as persistently following one’s high ethical and moral standards, regardless of the racist society's pressures and the repercussions one’s opposition leads to.

"Most accounts of integrity agree that the person of integrity must have a relatively stable sense of who he is, what is important to him, and the ability to stand by what is most important to him in the face of pressure to do otherwise. But does integrity place any constraints on the [morals] that the person of integrity stands for?”

I already know that integrity is a core value that many people lack due to not learning it at an earlier age. My father, mother, karate instructor, and military instructor all have explained integrity to me and why it is so important to have. Integrity has to be part of your character to be a good person.

Integrity is defined as following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances, even if no one is watching you. Having integrity means you are true to yourself and would do nothing that demeans or dishonors you. When employees are asked what they want from leaders it is integrity. Qualities change across culture and time, but what people say they want most in American society is integrity. When people are asked to define integrity, the word they mention most frequently is honesty. The leader with integrity always tells the truth as he or she believes it to be. Think about the best leader you have ever had; she or he probably had integrity. First and foremost, people want a leader they can trust. Ask yourself whether you have a reputation for integrity. (Manning 6) Integrity can be broken down into sub components:

How should we live our lives? Do you live for others or for yourself? What do you deem to be the ideal: selflessness, or selfishness? Why? Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead addresses these issues and her philosophy behind it called Objectivism. Her rebellious rhetoric is to convince us that the only true virtue is selfishness and that we should abide by its standards and live for ourselves.

Integrity is having a strong moral compass and knowing where your place in the world is.

Integrity is having a standard of morals and ethics, and living by them. It is a willingness and ability to do the right thing even when it is hard. The story To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with integrity. For example, many of the people in Maycomb share a prejudiced sense of integrity when it comes to its racist views. However, it is Atticus Finch’s integrity throughout the novel that really embodies the idea of moral and ethical principles. He puts into action every moral idea that he supports. Atticus is a role model to not only his children, but to the whole town of Maycomb, and his integrity is a great part of what makes him such a good example. Integrity

A person of integrity does exactly what he says and says exactly what he means. There is no conflict between his thoughts and actions. His actions are consistent with the values he professes. According to Dr. William Manninger, A building without integrity may receive structural damage, or even collapse, in a storm. Similarly, people without integrity are blown about by the winds of misfortune and destroyed by catastrophes, for they lack the firmness, solidity, and strength of character to weather any storm. This means that integrity is one of the six essential qualities that are the key to success.

Integrity is an essential character quality that defines an effective leader. Integrity is a unifying element; it means more than telling the truth. Integrity is concerned with right and wrong, and adherence to a set of values (Satterlee, 2013, p. 7). In that, integrity speaks on the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles – moral uprightness. A resilient leader should hold steady to their morals when faced with an ethical dilemma. “Leader integrity matters because it plays a significant role in the decision process used by followers when determining who they will follow, who they will trust, to whom they will be loyal and committed, and ultimately for whom they will perform” (Moorman & Grover, 2009, p.107). A leader’s integrity goes beyond their personal character make-up, subordinates will feel a sense of connection to a leader who acts with

Integrity is how somebody lives their life. In this life we live, we face choices every day that only we can answer. We dictate how we run our own lives, and they way we run them defines us. Integrity is doing the right thing versus the wrong thing. People, if nothing else, can always have their pride, their integrity. It is something that means a lot to some people and then nothing to others. The ones who value their integrity highly are the good people in this world, and the opposite is true for those who do not value their integrity.