WHAT IS TOOHEY'S ULTIMATE PURPOSE IN TRYING TO CONTROL THE BANNER?

Recently I learned of an essay contest available to high-school students, which essay was to be on any of various issues related to the novel The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.  One of the topics from which one could choose to write, was to answer the question, “What is Toohey’s ultimate purpose in trying to control the Banner?”  Although I don’t qualify for the contest as I am not a current high-school student (anyway, the deadline for entry has now passed), the question intrigued me, and actually became reason for my recently having reread the novel.  So, the following is how I might have written an essay response to that question. [Note:  Page number references are from my “Centennial Edition” paperback copy of the book.]

Rand’s intent in developing the character of Ellsworth Toohey is clearly to present someone who opposes every aspect of the tenets of laissez-faire capitalism.  In several instances throughout the novel, Toohey is seen to be hungry for power, yet he is inept at anything other than intellectualism and eloquence.  The reason he is hungry for power at the Banner is seemingly related to his lack of talent anywhere else.  In his editorial writing for the paper and on speaking occasions, he attempts to appeal to the masses, for their support in his opinions on architecture, but also so he can ultimately influence the peoples’ thinking that collectivism is good and capitalism is bad.  Toohey realizes the only economic system in which he could prosper is that of socialism, not capitalism.  His ends are destruction, not construction.  His strategy toward his goals is to obtain power in order to mold public opinion.

In contrast, Howard Roark could easily thrive in a true capitalistic system that requires that those who wish to be successful provide goods or services that are in demand.  In capitalism, a good or service does not have to be subject to public opinion, it must only be appreciated by another individual willing to make the purchase at an agreed-upon price.  Roark possessed the creativity and ambition to provide a service that was repeatedly in demand by those who thought for themselves, uninfluenced by public opinion.

Early on, we catch a glimpse of Toohey’s socialist desires in his Sermons in Stone, in which he wrote that his purpose was, “to bring architecture where it belongs – to the people” (p.69).  He further expressed, “Architects are servants, not leaders.  They are not to assert their little egos, but to express the soul of their country and the rhythm of their time.  They are not to follow the delusions of their personal fancy, but to seek the common denominator, which will bring their work close to the hearts of the masses.” (p.70).  This foreshadowing was reinforced later when Toohey praises Keating for the design of the Cosmo-Slotnick building (which he didn’t entirely design), by stating, “There is no personality stamped upon that building – and in this, my friends, lies the greatness of the personality.  It is the greatness of a selfless young spirit that assimilates all things and returns them to the world from which they came, enriched by the gentle brilliance of its own talent.  Thus a single man comes to represent, not a lone freak, but the multitude of all men together …” (p. 227).  Toohey views architecture as a profession with vital social responsibilities.

Toohey’s tendencies for destruction are detected when he tells Keating, “There are things that must be destroyed – or they’ll destroy us.” (p. 235).  His willingness to do whatever is necessary for a collectivist society is seen in his statements, calling to the masses, “You give two bucks to a strike fund and you think you’ve done your duty?  You poor fools!  No gift is worth a damn, unless it’s the most precious thing you’ve got.  Give your soul.  To a lie?  Yes, if others believe it.  To deceit?  Yes, if others need it.  To treachery, knavery, crime?  Yes!  .. Only when you can feel contempt for your own priceless little ego, only then can you achieve the true, broad peace of selflessness, the merging of your spirit with the vast collective spirit of mankind.”  (p. 307).

Toohey wants to be noticed, to have his collectivist views heard.  He was troubled when he learned certain people didn’t read his articles or contemplate his views, for example Roark, (p. 401) and Wynand (p. 430).  He has a fundamental need to be a prominent figure in public opinion, and the apparent reason is so he can ultimately become a ruler.  He wants to dominate others, but not through ability or merit, but by force.

Evidence that Howard Roark knew what harm someone like Toohey, someone who wants “pull”, could pose, is seen in his statements to Wynand, “That, precisely, is the deadliness of second-handers.  They have no concern for facts, ideas, work.  They’re concerned only with people.  They don’t ask:  ‘Is this true?’  They ask:  ‘Is this what others think is true?’  Not to judge, but to repeat.  Not to do, but to give the impression of doing.  Not creation, but show.  Not ability, but friendship.  Not merit, but pull.” (p. 634).  After this conversation with Wynand had ended, Roark thought:  “I haven’t mentioned to him the worst second-hander of all – the man who goes after power.” (p. 636). 

Toohey was precisely that type of second-hander who wanted power.  This is made very clear when Keating asks Toohey what it is he wants, and Toohey’s reply was simply, “Power, Petey.” (p. 664).  Toohey then stated that he wants to rule, and when asked whom, he boldly said, “You.  The world.  It’s only a matter of discovering the lever.” (p. 665).  A little later, he says, “I have no private purpose.  I want power.  I want my world of the future.” (p. 668).  This last quote tells all about the motives of Ellsworth Toohey.

I suggest that Toohey realizes the only way he can reach distinction is to acquire the power to essentially force his opinions on the public.  But his ideal "world of the future" is one which excludes capitalism.  He wants to accomplish this through his ability to influence the writings of the Banner, and this is the very reason he tries to control it.