Foundation Outline 10, Search by the Foundation, Part One ..

Search by the Foundation, Part One

Note: Again, I divide this short novel into two novellas, for the
purpose of the outline.

Written: 1948
Published: 1949
27 100 words
Date: 376-377 F.E.

1
ARCADIA
On the Foundation, Arcadia Darell dictates an essay on Seldon's Plan;
She is interrupted by a visitor at her window, Pelleas Anthor, who
after comic verbal skirmishing she takes to see her father Dr Toran
Darell (the namesake of the earler Toran Darell) (4300)

2
SELDON'S PLAN
On the Second Foundation, the First Speaker gives a problem to a
student; It appears from the problem that the Seldon Plan has failed
(3500)

3
THE CONSPIRATORS
On the Foundation, Toran Darell, Anthor, Turbor and Homir Munn plot to
find and destroy the SecondFoundation; Munn sent to Kalgan to examine
the Mule's archives (3900)

4
APPROACHING CRISIS
On the Second Foundation, the student again sees the First Speaker; He
has found no solution to the problem given, but the Speaker tells him
the Second Foundation still has a program of action to restore Seldon's
Plan (1100)

5
STOWAWAY
Arcadia stows away on board Homir Munn's ship en route for Kalgan
(3100)

6
LORD
Kalgan, the pleasure world; Lord Stettin and his mistress Lady Callia
have an interview with the Prime Minister Lev Meirus, and consider
whether to attack the reborn Foundation; Callia obtains permission from
Stettin for an interview with Arcadia (2200)

7
LADY
Lady Callia has a comic interview with Arcadia, who tells her that Munn
thinks Lord Stettin will found the Second Empire; Callia in comic
confusion tells Stettin this, who determines on war with the Foundation
and permits Munn to examine the Mule's Palace, with a view to proving
that the Second Foundation does not exist, and so cannot help the
Foundation (1900)

8
ANXIETY
Toran Darell's maid Poli bewails the war; He meditates on the struggle
against the Second Foundation; Munn in the Mule's palace; Stettin
meditates of empire and of Arcadia as his Queen; Callia sends Arcadia
away, who is suddenly sure that Callia is a Second Foundationer;
Arcadia flees to escape Stettin and because she is sure that she knows
where the Second Foundation is (3600)

9
THROUGH THE GRID
Arcadia at the spaceport on Kalgan; She meets the Palvers, who save her
by bribery from the Kalganian authorities (3500)

Comments: Arcadia is probably the dominant character of this novel.
Some like her, some don't. I don't. The constant affectation is
wearisome. Indeed, the whole novel is wearisome. Asimov himself was
very tired of the whole affair by then, and would have preferred to end
the series with the previous novella. There are a few comic moments,
especially those involving Dame Callia, that are deliciously done.In
this novel we finally understand just what the Second Foundation really
is, and the vision is unpleasant, to say the least. Emotionless, mental
supermen dominating the rest of humanity like animals... scarcely a
very inspiring prospect. Even Asimov's style begins to slide into
typical novelistic mediocrity.