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Part 5, Chapter 15
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Foundation, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Historical Forces vs. Individual Effort
Religion as a Tool of Control
Crisis and Adaptation
Power and Governance
Summary
Analysis
The Commdora confronts the Commdor, criticizing his indecision and his advisors’ reluctance to act against the Foundation. She pressures him to leverage their ships, supplied by her father in the Empire, to destroy the Foundation’s trade and gain dominance. Despite his weariness and concerns about financial losses, Argo declares war on the Foundation, hoping to win respect from the Empire. The Commdora delights in his decision, envisioning a future at the viceroy’s court, while the Commdor privately seethes, vowing to free himself from both his wife and his father-in-law.
The Commdora pressures the Commdor into declaring war by criticizing his inaction and emphasizing the opportunity presented by their Empire-supplied ships. Her ambition to dominate the Foundation drives her to push beyond his hesitation, disregarding his concerns about financial losses. Argo’s decision to declare war stems less from conviction and more from a need to preserve his authority and gain respect within the Empire.
Themes
