Integrity is a quality frequently sought but rarely achieved; once reached; it is even more rarely maintained. It is an elusive gem with the potential to inspire and transform a person. Unfortunately, it is often compromised – a valuable payment for something of lesser value – whether wealth, prestige or social status. This strange but common exchange is demonstrated in Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead and is explored in the context of architecture. Firstly, the concept of integrity is described by Henry Cameron in that he maintains his integrity while being destroyed by society due to his uncontrollable passion. Second, Peter Keating and his associate Guy Francon willingly substitute not only their own integrity, but also that of their buildings, in exchange for wealth and popularity in society. Finally, Howard Roark challenges and overcomes a seemingly destructive and threatening society, while preserving his most precious asset: his honor. As demonstrated throughout the novel, society disdains passion, dedication, and individuality, and often will stop at nothing to destroy even the slightest trace of it. However, Cameron and Roark share an understanding necessary for true greatness: it is not only laudable, but desirable to be hated by society, because in this way the precious jewel of integrity has been preserved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayHenry Cameron – despite being an architectural genius – is considered a commercial failure among members of society . Essentially, his volatile career as an architect was dedicated to introducing into society the assumption that it is more admirable to be a commercial failure while preserving one's genius, rather than to sacrifice genius in the name of social success. In essence, Cameron is fighting for integrity in a corrupt society. The corruptor of this society – Ellsworth Toohey – convinces the public to hate Cameron on the basis of his poor architectural skills. However, Cameron's only mistake is that "he loves his work" (46) and has an unbridled passion for it. As a result, his passion manifests itself in his buildings and shouts in the faces of passers-by. Ultimately, Henry Cameron's work is a passion; it is honesty and fearlessness. Subconsciously, society hates Cameron for the sole reason that his early edifices manage to achieve what they cannot achieve: pure honesty and righteousness. In truth, “men hate passion, any great passion” (45), leading them to reject Cameron's own depictions of passion. However, armed with Toohey's excuses regarding ungodly architecture, society covers up this sense of inadequacy by condemning Cameron's work. Cameron admits to Roark that "thirty years of a lost cause" (64) is not as romantic as it seems, and in a moment of regret, he warns him to follow a different path by saying "accept- the, Roark. Compromise. Compromise now, because you'll have to do it later anyway” (62). Ultimately, in the moments in his career when Henry Cameron is most obsessed with his work, he is most successful. However, when his focus shifts away from his passion and toward the menacing public, his career gradually collapses. He begins not only to see them, but to fear them and their hatred; public condemnation of Cameron led to Cameron's demise. This fear is expressed when he asks Roark “do you ever look at people in the street?” Aren't you afraid of them? (64). Following this, Cameron admits that he fears thesepeople, and by saying that "their essence is hatred towards every man who loves his work" (64), he reveals the reason why he was destroyed by the masses. Only when he begins to recognize and fear the masses is he defeated. Therefore, although Cameron recognizes that it is desirable to be hated by society for the sake of integrity, his fear of the masses leads to his destruction. On the other hand, for Peter Keating and his advisor Guy Francon, their greatest fear is not sacrificing their integrity. ,but being hated by society. As a result, Keating and Francon willingly abandon their honor in favor of social popularity. Like a beggar so desperate for money that he will give up anything, such is Keating and his thirst for respectable social status. Unlike Roark, who refuses to compromise his integrity in the name of social acceptance, Keating compromises his morals, his interests, and even the love of his life - Catherine - in exchange for prestige and false respect. The respect given to him is false, because those who know of his shady escapades do not respect him at all. This willingness to trade integrity for abstract, valueless possessions is the fundamental difference that places Keating and Francon on an entirely different spectrum than Cameron and Roark. Just as the public hates Cameron's buildings because they are honest and upright, Keating resorts to scorning Roark because he represents everything Keating ever was. Peter asserts that “there is no need to question the reasons. It is enough to hate, to hate blindly, to hate patiently, to hate without anger; only hate, and let nothing intervene, and never let yourself be forgotten” (194). Despite this statement, the reason for his hatred is obvious: just as men hate passion, they also hate integrity, because it is a surreal treasure that disappears so quickly. Despite his contempt for Roark, after decades of wooing an insatiable audience, Keating finally recognizes the truth: that hatred of society in the name of integrity is not only the most respectable, but the most desirable outcome. Saying “I am a parasite. I've been a parasite all my life” (575) Peter Keating admits that he is truly poor, because even the things he acquired have left him empty. He verbally asserts the futility of everything he has fought for when he says, "I need prestige I don't deserve for an achievement I didn't accomplish to save a name I don't deserve." I have not earned the right to carry” (575). Gradually, societal love for Peter Keating only reminds him of his willingness to sacrifice integrity, and he begins to desire their hatred. The internal tug of war between social acceptance and maintaining integrity with which Keating struggles throughout his career is not prevalent in Howard Roark's life. In truth, it doesn't even exist. Unlike Keating, Francon and even Cameron, Roark does not take society's opinions into account at all; furthermore, he claims not to see them, saying “but I never notice people in the streets” (64). His presence “makes them feel that he [is] not there; or perhaps he [is] and they [are not]” (62). It is for this reason that Roark is able to overcome society's hatred and ultimately become not only an artistic and moral success, but also a commercial success – a feat that Cameron fails to achieve. Instead of fearing their scorn, Roark embraces it, seeing it as a laudable and desirable outcome, because it reflects his greatest achievement: his implacable integrity. Unlike Keating, Roark builds entirely for the purpose of building, and in doing so his own honor and righteousness are represented in these structures. As is the case with Cameron's buildings, the company chooses,.