Ellsworth M. Toohey is shown as a "humanitarian" who cares about helping others.
However, his true
nature is much more manipulative. He’s often called the "architect of the soul" because instead of using
violence, he destroys people by getting into their minds and controlling them. He pretends to be a good
person, telling people what they want to hear and acting like the perfect example of kindness. By doing
this, he gains people's trust and slowly controls them, weakening their sense of individuality and
greatness, especially those like Howard Roark, who value independence and creativity. The real question
is what Toohey thinks of himself, does he see himself as a good person and someone who is simply trying
to create an equal world or is he aware of his manipulative actions?
From a personal reflection of his complex character, I believe that he sees himself as genuinely good and
kind person but he also is aware of his power. Although he interprets his intentions from only a positive
perspective, he knows that he is dangerous.
When he gets the label of "humanitarian" he embraces it because it makes it much easier to control people
when you are known as a person who seeks to promote human welfare and somebody who only wants
what is good for people. Toohey's view of himself as a humanitarian is in direct conflict with Rand's
philosophy of Objectivism. Rand believes in the importance of individualism. Toohey, on the other hand,
pushes for collectivism and self-sacrifice. He doesn’t want to help people grow or succeed; instead, he
wants to keep them dependent on him. By preaching about the "greater good," he encourages people to
give up their personal ambitions and submit to the collective. Toohey is a destroyer, not with violence,
but through manipulation. As a populist, he flatters everyone and tells them what they want to hear. He
doesn’t seek obvious power, but he wants a world where no one stands out, which can reflect his own
realization of his limited abilities. (Personally, I believe he secretly envies people with real talent, as he
believes they cause conflict by standing apart from the crowd).On page 298, Toohey talks about the
"soul," but he doesn’t see it as something personal . Instead, he believes the soul belongs to society, and
people should sacrifice their own greatness for the good of the collective. This is the opposite of what
Rand stands for, which is the idea that the soul is connected to individual achievement. Toohey represents
the danger of collectivism, as he works to destroy anyone who stands out or seeks personal fulfillment. In
reflecting on Toohey’s character, it's also important to consider his childhood. He was both bullied and a
bully, which shaped his worldview. Instead of rising above this, Toohey turned to manipulation, seeking
control over others by making them feel dependent on him. His early experiences likely fueled his belief
in a world where no one stands out and everyone conforms to the collective, making it easier for him to
maintain control without being threatened by those more talented than himself.
(517 words)
