The Toll
By: Neal Shusterman
By: Neal Shusterman
Summary:
The Toll begins with an entry by Goddard explaining that the catastrophe on Endura was Rowan's fault, and that since the Grandslayers and Scythe Curie are gone, he is now the High Blade over North Merica. Goddard also creates the position of Overblade and fills that spot, even making the decision to end all gleaning quotas and allowing all mass gleanings. Now that the entire population is unsavory except for Greyson, Greyson becomes the Toll who is the speaker for the Thunderhead. The Tonists are also on the rise, and beginning to turn against the scythedom and attacking others. Fararday and Munira have found The Land of Nod and are searching for the fail safe if the sythedom fails.
Citra and Rowan are then revived. Rowan is kidnapped by Goddard and then is kidnapped back again by the old guard scythes. Citra begins searching into the backbrain, researching past otherwordly colonization attempts and informing the public. Goddard continues to complete mass gleanings and killing off as many Tonists as possible. The Thunderhead keeps using the dead Tonists for an unknown reason. On the Land of Nod the Thunderhead is also directing the construction of rocket ships to finally colonize other planets. Citra and Rowan a then leave on one of these ships, abandoning Earth and the scythedom behind. Faraday and Munira then activate the fail safe, getting rid of all scythes, and releasing robots that randomly kill off 5% of the population, every 5 years. With this, the poppulation can finally be controlled, without any scythes. Citra and Rowan can now create a new life on their new planet.
The Toll begins with an entry by Goddard explaining that the catastrophe on Endura was Rowan's fault, and that since the Grandslayers and Scythe Curie are gone, he is now the High Blade over North Merica. Goddard also creates the position of Overblade and fills that spot, even making the decision to end all gleaning quotas and allowing all mass gleanings. Now that the entire population is unsavory except for Greyson, Greyson becomes the Toll who is the speaker for the Thunderhead. The Tonists are also on the rise, and beginning to turn against the scythedom and attacking others. Fararday and Munira have found The Land of Nod and are searching for the fail safe if the sythedom fails.
Citra and Rowan are then revived. Rowan is kidnapped by Goddard and then is kidnapped back again by the old guard scythes. Citra begins searching into the backbrain, researching past otherwordly colonization attempts and informing the public. Goddard continues to complete mass gleanings and killing off as many Tonists as possible. The Thunderhead keeps using the dead Tonists for an unknown reason. On the Land of Nod the Thunderhead is also directing the construction of rocket ships to finally colonize other planets. Citra and Rowan a then leave on one of these ships, abandoning Earth and the scythedom behind. Faraday and Munira then activate the fail safe, getting rid of all scythes, and releasing robots that randomly kill off 5% of the population, every 5 years. With this, the poppulation can finally be controlled, without any scythes. Citra and Rowan can now create a new life on their new planet.
Quote:
“‘We never know what choices will lead to defining moments in our lives,’ the crimson scythe said. ‘A glance to the left instead of the right could define who we meet and who passes us by. Our life path can be determined by a single phone call we make, or neglect to make’” (187-188).
This quote is from the conversation between scythe’s Constantine and Rand in an elevator leaving Goddard’s estate. They are discussing how the many insignificant details in life create monumental outcomes in the end. The butterfly effect is a crazy concept to contemplate. The way that each person’s life influences, and is influenced by so many others changes the world in so many ways later down the road. Each decision we make is so important because it will influence so much in the future.
“‘We never know what choices will lead to defining moments in our lives,’ the crimson scythe said. ‘A glance to the left instead of the right could define who we meet and who passes us by. Our life path can be determined by a single phone call we make, or neglect to make’” (187-188).
This quote is from the conversation between scythe’s Constantine and Rand in an elevator leaving Goddard’s estate. They are discussing how the many insignificant details in life create monumental outcomes in the end. The butterfly effect is a crazy concept to contemplate. The way that each person’s life influences, and is influenced by so many others changes the world in so many ways later down the road. Each decision we make is so important because it will influence so much in the future.
Essay:
Humanity’s Perpetual Desire for More
Humanity is never satisfied. Inside of everyone there is a perpetual desire for more. Nearly all members of society spend their entire lives either trying to find their greater purpose or in striving to obtain more control over others. In Neal Shusterman’s The Toll, this yearning is exhibited through Scythe Goddard aspiring to be the most powerful scythe ever, in the Tonist movement longing for a greater influence, and in several individuals' determination to find a larger purpose for their life. Essentially, we all crave more of something.
From the beginning, Scythe Goddard has always been obsessed with leaving his mark on the scythedom. Goddard wanted to change the world forever through his influence on the New Order Scythes. It was never about wanting to enjoy a new world where everyone loved their employment, it was about Scythe Goddard rising up to becoming the most powerful scythe in history. Once Goddard procures some position of power, he initiates his plan for transforming the world; “‘Does it concern you, Scythe Rand, the sheer volume of change Goddard is bringing to bear on the scythedom this early in his reign as High Blade?’ Constantine asked.” (186). Like several others, Scythe Goddard has only one goal in life: to secure the most power. This can be seen in the real world with many crooked politicians. Although most leaders intend to help others, some are focused only on how they can move to the next, higher position of power. These types of people oftentime become so wrapped up in themselves, that the unvarying desire for more power becomes the center of attention.
In The Toll, Tonists are the worldwide group of the last religious people. Although they have very strong beliefs, the admiration for their deity is almost entirely drowned out by their obsession with pressing their beliefs on others. It appears that the only goal of these members is to forcefully present to others the “Great Vibration” and introduce a unique lifestyle to as many nonbelievers as possible. It reaches the point that the leading scythes are beginning to notice; “‘I have Tonists,’ she said. ‘Far too many Tonists - their numbers are increasing substantially and they are becoming restless.’ ‘It seems that their only care is increasing their following’” (182). In reality there are many modern groups like the Tonists seen in the world around us. Many religious groups care more about how they can change others minds, than they are about living their own lives in the ways they so desperately preach. The basis of their coveted religion is only formed on how they can achieve a greater influence on those around them.
One of the most common characteristics of an individual is the desire to find their greater calling in life. Even though one may have a perfect, happy, life, they feel as though they are missing their true purpose. In The Toll, Ezra is a career painter who recreates famous paintings of the past. Although he has always wanted to be a painter, and is now a very successful one, he still feels as though he is not reaching his full potential; “‘Satisfactory is satisfactory,’ it had told him. ‘Not good, not bad. Acceptable.’ But as an artist, Ezra wanted to be more than just acceptable. He wanted to be exceptional. Because if he couldn’t be exceptional, what was the point?’” (135). The general population feels the same way that Ezra did. Although he had achieved everything he had planned and wanted, he still felt that something significant was missing. Everyone feels this same way because it is human nature to possess the endless craving for something greater that is yet to come.
Overall, the situations in Neal Shusterman’s The Toll are very similar to the conditions of humanity. Just as Scythe Goddard aspires to be the most powerful scythe ever, the Tonist movement longs for a greater influence, and individuals are determined to find a larger purpose for their life; every human holds the perpetual desire for more. In the end, everyone wants to feel contentment, so instead of following human nature with the timeless need for more, one must find their true happiness through their normal, everyday lives.
Humanity’s Perpetual Desire for More
Humanity is never satisfied. Inside of everyone there is a perpetual desire for more. Nearly all members of society spend their entire lives either trying to find their greater purpose or in striving to obtain more control over others. In Neal Shusterman’s The Toll, this yearning is exhibited through Scythe Goddard aspiring to be the most powerful scythe ever, in the Tonist movement longing for a greater influence, and in several individuals' determination to find a larger purpose for their life. Essentially, we all crave more of something.
From the beginning, Scythe Goddard has always been obsessed with leaving his mark on the scythedom. Goddard wanted to change the world forever through his influence on the New Order Scythes. It was never about wanting to enjoy a new world where everyone loved their employment, it was about Scythe Goddard rising up to becoming the most powerful scythe in history. Once Goddard procures some position of power, he initiates his plan for transforming the world; “‘Does it concern you, Scythe Rand, the sheer volume of change Goddard is bringing to bear on the scythedom this early in his reign as High Blade?’ Constantine asked.” (186). Like several others, Scythe Goddard has only one goal in life: to secure the most power. This can be seen in the real world with many crooked politicians. Although most leaders intend to help others, some are focused only on how they can move to the next, higher position of power. These types of people oftentime become so wrapped up in themselves, that the unvarying desire for more power becomes the center of attention.
In The Toll, Tonists are the worldwide group of the last religious people. Although they have very strong beliefs, the admiration for their deity is almost entirely drowned out by their obsession with pressing their beliefs on others. It appears that the only goal of these members is to forcefully present to others the “Great Vibration” and introduce a unique lifestyle to as many nonbelievers as possible. It reaches the point that the leading scythes are beginning to notice; “‘I have Tonists,’ she said. ‘Far too many Tonists - their numbers are increasing substantially and they are becoming restless.’ ‘It seems that their only care is increasing their following’” (182). In reality there are many modern groups like the Tonists seen in the world around us. Many religious groups care more about how they can change others minds, than they are about living their own lives in the ways they so desperately preach. The basis of their coveted religion is only formed on how they can achieve a greater influence on those around them.
One of the most common characteristics of an individual is the desire to find their greater calling in life. Even though one may have a perfect, happy, life, they feel as though they are missing their true purpose. In The Toll, Ezra is a career painter who recreates famous paintings of the past. Although he has always wanted to be a painter, and is now a very successful one, he still feels as though he is not reaching his full potential; “‘Satisfactory is satisfactory,’ it had told him. ‘Not good, not bad. Acceptable.’ But as an artist, Ezra wanted to be more than just acceptable. He wanted to be exceptional. Because if he couldn’t be exceptional, what was the point?’” (135). The general population feels the same way that Ezra did. Although he had achieved everything he had planned and wanted, he still felt that something significant was missing. Everyone feels this same way because it is human nature to possess the endless craving for something greater that is yet to come.
Overall, the situations in Neal Shusterman’s The Toll are very similar to the conditions of humanity. Just as Scythe Goddard aspires to be the most powerful scythe ever, the Tonist movement longs for a greater influence, and individuals are determined to find a larger purpose for their life; every human holds the perpetual desire for more. In the end, everyone wants to feel contentment, so instead of following human nature with the timeless need for more, one must find their true happiness through their normal, everyday lives.
Themes:
Corruption- Nearly the entire scythedom is changed solely due to Goddard's influence and corruption. The world is transformed from the corruption brought in by one man.
Love- The love that Rowan and Citra have for one another is the biggest motivator for their continual struggle to fix everything.
Power- The struggle for more power is the main reason why character such as Goddard and Mendoza can never be true leaders.
Contentment- Every character wants to be happy and find fulfillment. They all behave in such a way that will allow them to find their true happiness.
Corruption- Nearly the entire scythedom is changed solely due to Goddard's influence and corruption. The world is transformed from the corruption brought in by one man.
Love- The love that Rowan and Citra have for one another is the biggest motivator for their continual struggle to fix everything.
Power- The struggle for more power is the main reason why character such as Goddard and Mendoza can never be true leaders.
Contentment- Every character wants to be happy and find fulfillment. They all behave in such a way that will allow them to find their true happiness.