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To: billybudd
a competing narrative: one of special people born with unearned gifts and of regular people who must make do with what they have

When did Howard Roark "earn" his architectural insight? He worked hard to develop the skills, but he was born with his talent. Peter Keating could never have been a Roark, no matter how much effort he put into it.

Rand's characters are effectively humanistic demi-gods.

18 posted on 12/06/2004 5:58:33 AM PST by TigerTale ("An America that is a force for democratic change is a very dangerous foe indeed."--Victor D. Hansen)
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To: TigerTale
When did Howard Roark "earn" his architectural insight? He worked hard to develop the skills, but he was born with his talent. Peter Keating could never have been a Roark, no matter how much effort he put into it.

Exactly. At bottom, the Randian universe essentially consists of gene-"worship," because true genius-level talent is usually portrayed as innate. The "purpose" of the ordinary person, as it were, is to "worship" and serve the genetically-talented.

44 posted on 12/06/2004 6:58:57 AM PST by valkyrieanne (card-carrying South Park Republican)
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