Question: Dominique Francon loves Roark but fights to destroy him. Why? It would seem ironic that the concept of love denies the novel's exaltation of logic, which, unlike love, does not depend on emotion and sentimentality, two qualities avoided in The Fountainhead. Howard Roark, the protagonist of the novel, said: Thus, love turns out to be essential to the source of humanity: absolute selfishness. Love is perhaps the most selfish virtue of all, but it can also be the most destructive force. The destructive nature of love is demonstrated through the unfathomable relationship between Dominique Francon and Howard Roark. Roark is the most eccentric character in the novel and Dominique is perhaps the most capricious. They are kindred spirits who disprove the old saying that "opposites attract." They are both apathetic and pay little attention to social issues and events. Roark and Dominique are comfortable and content with being in total isolation. For example, Dominique enjoys summer vacations at the family estate where only she and the household staff reside. Similarly, at the beginning of the novel, Roark spends a lot of time alone, either in his office or at home. Furthermore, they both detest the world of altruists and uncreative second-handers and believe that utilitarianism is more important than individualism. Given the myriad common characteristics between Roark and Dominique, it's no wonder they fall in love at first sight. Dominique admires Roark's integrity; therefore, she strives to destroy him as a means of testing his character to see if he would falter in the face of adversity. Gail Wynand tells Dominique: Dominique finds this supposedly unattainable integrity in the person of Howard Roark...... middle of paper......, it keeps him from being humiliated by a world that is incapable of handling his talent, and destroy it before the larger society can destroy it. So, Dominique tries to destroy Roark to maintain the romance of the novel's logic. According to Rand in The Virtue of Selfishness: Roark is a testament to this quote. He is selfish and values ​​himself and his work, thus allowing him to love and appreciate Dominique. At the end of the novel, Roark and Dominique are finally united in marriage. They overcame numerous obstacles that served to add further fortitude to their relationship. This couple proves that true love is worth fighting for and will stand the test of time. The novel's euphoric conclusion with Roark and Dominique finally together exemplifies two things; the power of love and the inevitable triumph of the individual.