# Overproduction and Economic Collapse in The Absolute at Large

> Theme guide for The Absolute at Large by Karel Čapek.

The Absolute's infinite, uncontrolled production of goods (like tacks) causes market saturation, devaluation, and the breakdown of distribution, illustrating the absurdity of boundless plenty without economic order.

## Where it surfaces

- [VII: Developments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/vii-developments): The flood of Karburator orders leads to the collapse of coal mining, oil fires, and the Sugar Bank's destruction, illustrating the destabilizing effects of overproduction.
- [IX: The Ceremony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/ix-the-ceremony): The Karburator's immense power output symbolizes the overproduction of energy, hinting at potential instability and collapse.
- [X: Saint Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/x-saint-ellen): The Karburator causes insane overproduction, crashing prices, and industrial ruin, as seen in textile factories and banks.
- [XIV: The Land of Plenty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xiv-the-land-of-plenty): The Absolute's infinite production leads to mountains of unsaleable goods, rendering them valueless and causing economic disruption.
- [XV: Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xv-disaster): The chapter vividly depicts how divine overproduction leads to worthless goods, market collapse, and famine, highlighting the absurdity of boundless plenty.
- [XVI: In the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-mountains): Marek argues the Absolute's overproduction and abolition of currency have caused a crisis, highlighting the failure of production without trade.
- [The Augsburg Imbroglio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/chapters/xxiii-the-augsburg-imbroglio): The war leads to the closure of businesses and stock exchanges, reflecting economic disruption.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/themes/overproduction_and_economic_collapse
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_absolute_at_large_se/themes