Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests 2011

The Ayn Rand Institute has announced essay contests for We The Living, Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. The Institute offers 521 prizes and $ 81,000 in prize money.

We the Living Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 10th, 11th and 12th Graders

Entry Deadline: May 5, 2011
FIRST PRIZE: $3,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: $1000
5 THIRD PRIZES: $300
25 FINALISTS: $50
75 SEMIFINALISTS: $25

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

The Communist war hero and much feared Party member Andrei Taganov is completely dedicated to the Party’s cause. Why then does he lose respect for the Party — and why does he fall in love with Kira Argounova?

Although the USSR has collapsed, many people still argue what was argued throughout much of the 20th century: communism is a noble theory that men unfortunately fail to live up to in practice. By reference to the story and specific events of We the Living, explain why you think the novel’s author would accept or reject this argument.

What does Kira Argounova mean when she says that communism forbids “life to those still living”?

Anthem Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 8th, 9th and 10th Graders

Entry Deadline: March 20, 2011
FIRST PRIZE: $2,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: $500
10 THIRD PRIZES: $200
45 FINALISTS: $50
175 SEMIFINALISTS: $30

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

Contrast Equality’s view of morality at the end of the novel to the morality exemplified by his society’s institutions, practices, and officials.

Anthem’s theme is, in Ayn Rand’s own words, "the meaning of man’s ego." Explain the ways in which the characters and story in Anthem illustrate this theme.

To fully control a man, dictators must not only enslave his body, but also destroy his mind. Discuss how the leaders and society in Anthem seek to accomplish this tyrannical end.

The Fountainhead Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 11th and 12th Graders

Entry Deadline: April 26, 2011
FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
10 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
45 FINALISTS: $100
175 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

After the Stoddard trial, Dominique Francon marries Peter Keating. Given her love for the integrity of Howard Roark's buildings and person, why does she do this? What is she seeking from the marriage? How does her action of marrying Peter relate to her deeper convictions and conflicts?

In dynamiting Cortlandt Homes, Howard Roark breaks the law. What is his moral and philosophical argument for the rectitude of his action?

Choose the scene in The Fountainhead that is most meaningful to you. Analyze that scene in terms of the wider themes in the book.

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 12th Graders, College Undergraduates, and Graduate Students

Entry Deadline: September 17, 2011
FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
3 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
5 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
25 FINALISTS: $100
50 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

What do you think is meant, in Part III of Atlas Shrugged, by the phrase “utopia of greed”?

Why does Francisco D’Anconia, heir to the greatest fortune in the world and a productive genius with boundless ambition,change his course and pose as, of all things, a playboy?

What does the story of Atlas Shrugged have to say about the relative powers of good and evil and the conditions under which one is victorious over the other?.

A report on the Atlas Meet in Delhi on 19th February

The 7th Atlas Meet in Delhi took place on Friday, 19th February 2010. Billed as the 'Fountainhead Special', it attracted a gathering of nine enthusiasts, including newcomers to the meet Mayank Sharma, Bindu Mangalpalli and Ashok Atluri, as well as old-hands Barun Mitra, Vikram Bajaj, Arun Virmani, Poonam Vasudeva, Sunil Khetan and Rajendra Lakhotia.


The evening began promptly with a viewing of trailers and excerpts from the movie "The Fountainhead". Animated discussions followed on issues ranging from the casting of the film to whether it captured the spirit of the novel well or not.


Next, each of the participants shared their favorite quote from the novel and expanded on why they liked it. More than a few chose the famous line "But I don’t think of you." that is delivered by Roark in response to Toohey's question. Others remembered the exchange between Keating and Roark when Roark admonishes "Never ask people. Not about your work."; or the section when Roark feels the emotion of pity upon seeing Keating's pathetic attempts at painting - his true, but long-suppressed, passion. Some favored the exchanges between Roark and Wynand or Roark and Dominique, but in every case it was fascinating to learn how a few words in a novel had such a life-changing impact on the individuals who read them!


Atul started another, even more interesting round of discussion by asking the question if any of those present had any fundamental disagreement with Ayn Rand's world view. There were some who felt aggrieved by her view of India and Indian dance, while others were unhappy with her depiction of the mother-son relationship in her novels; some were still grappling with applying her ideas in real life, but nothing was shared that was of significance in a fundamental sense. Atul, himself, was miffed by Ayn rand's attitude towards women as evidenced by Ayn Rand's views on a woman as the president of the United States! The debate was often heated and lively, but amicable throughout. 


Rajendra had carried a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life", but we found that we were way past the curfew hour and agreed to schedule a viewing for the next meeting, which is due on 19th March, Friday.

Atlas Meet in Delhi - "The Fountainhead" Special

The next monthly Atlas Meet in Delhi will take place on Friday, 19 February, 2010. This time (on the suggestion of Mayank Sharma, a new participant), the Meet will focus on discussions of Ayn Rand's exhilarating novel - "The Fountainhead".

'The Fountainhead' probably has a special place for most fans of Ayn Rand's works. On this blog, more than two-thirds of the respondents list it as the first book of Miss Rand's that they read in answer to "Tell us about your journey: Share your experience...". Nobody can remain unmoved after reading this epic drama of the individual vs. the collective!

It is always a great joy to revisit the wonderful world of Ayn Rand, to soak in the spirit of her characters and see the world as it ought to be. We'll begin by watching short video excerpts from the movie version of The Fountainhead, including Roark's speech in defense of his dynamiting Courtland.

To make the evening more enjoyable for everyone, participants are encouraged to choose their favorite characters from the novel (from both the heroes and villians) and come with a quote from each character. We can then talk about how events in the novel relate to our own lives today and to the world around us.

Date

19th February 2010

Time

5.30 pm - 7.45 pm

The Agenda

Session I (Savor and Study)

5.30 pm - 6.45 pm: Watch trailer of "The Fountainhead", followed by a video excerpt of Roark's speech from the movie. Share favorite characters and quotes. Discuss relevance to our lives and the world today.

6.45 pm - 7.15 pm: Tea and snacks break.

[Those interested in coming in only for one session, could arrive or depart during this time.]

Session II (Spread and Sustain)

7.15 pm - 7.45 pm: Discussions on ways to spread Ayn Rand's ideas amongst students -

i) continuation of discussions on ideas mooted in previous meetings (Organizing talks in schools through personal contacts).

ii) other ideas for promoting the same.

*New* : You can also participate in the discussions live over the internet via audio/video conferencing. All you need is a web-browser and audio capabilities on your computer. If you have a webcam, then you can see us and be seen as well. If you are interested, you must send an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in at least one day in advance to receive the link and instructions.

The Venue

inlingua International School of Languages,

N-12, first floor,

South Extension - Part I

It is an open meeting - anyone interested in Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. You may call Vikram on 9810028900 for directions. If you're planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know by leaving a comment below or by sending an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in .

Why Did Dominique Pose For The Stoddard Temple?

That dusty book had been staring at me from a forgotten little corner for several months, and I kept thinking I’ll pick it up again. Finally, I couldn’t resist it any longer. I lifted it, swept off the dust, and stepped into Howard Roark’s world, and I’m delighted to say that once again, I’ve been as fascinated by The Fountainhead as I ever was.

Beyond the fascination, it’s made me think more thoughts than I can begin to count. There have been questions, and I have found answers. Yet, of all the things, there is one particular incident along the course of the story that intrigued me for long. It’s about Dominique posing naked for the sculpture in the Stoddard temple. Ayn Rand does not delve into it – Dominique doesn’t say why she does it, and it is not clearly suggested elsewhere. Roark tells Mallory that she will pose. And she does. However, if one considers it carefully, that action contradicts the very premise that lies at the center of Dominique’s life – that the proud, the strong and the heroic cannot succeed in the kind of world that it is; that they should rather shut out the fire in their spirit, than create any inspiring product for a world full of second-handers to gawk over in hatred and bring down with glee. Yet, she leaves herself naked, literally, in body and spirit, to the very abuse she had always feared, and that she can’t bear. People destroyed the Stoddard temple, they slung filth on her exalted statue and drew lewd caricatures on its pedestal. And she always knew that it was doomed to such an end. So, why did she voluntarily immolate herself?

Well, here’s the best answer that I can offer…

As I perceive it, the meaning of this action of hers was, very simply, that for once, her resolve broke. Using a common phrase, she probably ‘couldn’t help herself.’ This was the one opportunity, perhaps the only she would ever have in her life, to be a part of a monument dedicated to the source of human greatness: the fearless, passionate and independent spirit. It was to be the only such monument ever to be built, and what a part she had to play, to be the very center of it; to not just contribute to its spiritual significance – but to define it. Her naked form – with Roark’s structure dedicated to it – was to be the only answer offered to anyone who came to the Stoddard ‘temple of the human spirit’. It was her intense posture that was to lead one to experience a silent, uplifting solitude, and the feeling – if one knew how to feel it – that how great a gift a human life is. That was perhaps too great a power for Dominique to resist, and too great an opportunity for her to surrender, even in a world that she despised. For once, even though she felt that the construction of this temple was a crime because of the tragic end that it would face, it was worth it. It was worth it, just to know the fact that it existed, to view it with her own eyes, to feel it, to be a part of it, to make that vision possible, even if was just for a few moments that led to destruction. The power of that possibility, for once, defeated her. The Stoddard temple, in fact, is Dominique’s defeat.

Another celebrity recognises the impact of The Fountainhead

DNA, newspaper, interviewed the fashion designer Krishna Mehta in Mumbai.

Fashion designer Krishna Mehta counts The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand as her all-time favourite novel. "There is immense strength portrayed with equally strong emotions which have been written brilliantly, beautifully and bitterly," says the lady who read it thrice so far. The fashion designer selected the book herself as she does with most of her choices, "seldom going by hearsay", she clarifies.

She first read this book about 30 years ago but says that she can still relate to the characters and the circumstances. "They are amazingly captured in the most fluid language," says Krishna.Excerpts from her favourite passage reads: 'She tried to demonstrate her power over him. And he defeated her by admitting her power, she could not have the gratification of enforcing it...'

Please read the complete item here.