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Part 5, Chapter 7
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
Mallow demonstrates the power of nuclear tools at Korell’s decaying steel foundry, impressing the Commdor and his court with their precision and efficiency. He slices steel sheets effortlessly, shaves off layers, drills holes, and even joins two pipes seamlessly, leaving the audience astonished. However, during the demonstration, Mallow notices the Commdor’s guards wielding weapons bearing the unmistakable Spaceship-and-Sun emblem of the Galactic Empire.
Mallow’s nuclear demonstration at Korell’s steel foundry serves a dual purpose: showcasing the Foundation’s technological capabilities while assessing Korell’s true power dynamics. The astonished reactions of the Commdor and his court reveal Korell’s dependence on outdated methods, emphasizing the leverage the Foundation holds.
Themes
