[continued from previous message]   
      
   >>>> tactics frequently evoke those of Joseph Stalin, the former Russian   
   >>>> revolutionary who emerged as Russia's dictator."   
   >>>   
   >>> Exactly. Both Toohey and Stalin were selfless servants of the people -   
   >>> they had no interests of their own, but dedicated their lives to the   
   >>> people. All they wanted in return was total control - not for   
   >>> themselves, but for the people.   
   >>   
   >> I disagree.  They used the people as an excuse to gain power for   
   >> themselves.   
   >>   
   >>> Toohey was the completely selfless man - the man who wanted nothing for   
   >>> himself, but only wanted the public good; and therefore wanted to break   
   >>> everyone who maintained a private life, or a sense of self.   
   >>   
   >> Toohey was a spider.  He spun pretty webs to catch flies in.  But as the   
   >> flies eventually found out, the pretty webs weren't to their good at   
   >> all.   
   >>   
   >> Toohey knows that he has nothing to offer the world.  He has no talents,   
   >> not profound thoughts, no... anything.  He therefore hates men like   
   >> Wynand -- self-made movers and shakers who are *actually* bent on   
   >> reshaping society for the betterment of all.  Wynand is who Toohey would   
   >> like to be -- but cannot.   
   >>   
   >> Toohey was inspired by Stalin, but from a literary standpoint, he is the   
   >> grandson of Uriah Heep.  He has learned how to flatter the public by   
   >> constantly telling them how "humble" he is, and by explaining to them   
   >> how he is happy to be their servant and has only their best interest at   
   >> heart.  But just a Mr. Heep was using his "humility" to gain control Mr.   
   >> Wickfield and his fortune, so Ellsworth Toohey is using his professed   
   >> altruism to gain the support of the masses in his bid for social power.   
   >   
   > Ellsworth Toohey was the "voice of the people" as he liked to remind   
   > everyone.   
      
   You're misremembering, Donkey.  Toohey wrote a column entitled "One   
   Small Voice," and would humbly remind everyone that he was just that.   
      
   >   
   >>> I understand (Ayn Rand) just fine. I'd say that you were the one who   
   >>> misunderstands her, but (considering I'm not talking to a person but a   
   >>> sock) one knows where that would lead: You'd put your hands over your   
   >>> ears, stamp your little foot, and cry "IKYABWAI!" again.   
   >>   
   >> I beg to differ   
   >   
   > As usual, nobody expects you to admit it.   
   >   
   >> Zarathustra (Nietzsche) said that Man was halfway along   
   >> the bridge between Animal and Overman (and that even the Overman state   
   >> was only the beginning of our journey).  Roark was farther advanced   
   >> along that bridge than anyone else at that time.  Roark represented the   
   >> Nietzschean ideal.   
   >>   
   >> --   
   >   
   > Howard Roarke taught us to create our art and stand with it, don't let   
   > the work be changed, either tacked on or watered them. Howard Roarke   
   > wasn't afraid to blow it up, watch his creation go down in flames rather   
   > than see it changed from his original vision.   
      
   That's "Roark," Donkey.  There's no "e" on the end of it.   
      
   Yes, Roark refused to have his artistic vision tampered with.  That's   
   why we artists love him (especially writers who've had editors emend   
   their work without their consent).   
      
   But he's still in the story to serve as a representation of the   
   Nietzschean ideal.  Rand was a big proponent of sledgehammer symbolism.   
      
   --   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)