Study Guide

The Fountainhead Part 2, Chapter 12

By Ayn Rand

Part 2, Chapter 12

The contract for the Aquitania hotel falls through. Lansing tried, but he couldn't win against the stupid board of directors.
But Roark still has his temple.
And then worse things happen.
Stoddard cancels the opening for the temple and then sues Roark for breach of contract, saying that the temple looks like crap and that Roark is incompetent.
This whole kerfuffle is extremely public, and nosey New York society is all over it.
Toohey tells Dominique that people will now remember Roark for screwing up a project.
Dominique is upset but tries to hide it from Toohey.
The case goes to trial, and it's basically a three-ring circus.
People like Keating testify against Roark.
Dominique testifies for Stoddard but defends Roark by saying no one on earth deserves the temple since it's too good for everyone.
Roark defends himself. He doesn't cross-examine anyone, and his entire defense is to show 10 photos of the temple.