# The New Idol explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra > Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche. ## What happens Zarathustra condemns the state as a cold monster that lies about being the people, devours the many-too-many, and preaches death. He contrasts it with the open earth for great souls and the Superman, urging his brethren to withdraw from idolatry and seek freedom beyond the state. ## Themes in this chapter ### Critique of Herd Morality The state is portrayed as a herd institution that enforces a false morality and devours individuality. ### The Übermensch and Self-Overcoming The Superman is presented as the alternative to the state, achievable only beyond its confines. ## Character check-ins ### Zarathustra Delivers a scathing critique of the state as a cold monster and calls for withdrawal from its idolatry. ### The Superman Referenced as the rainbow and bridges beyond the state, the goal for great souls. ### The Higher Men Implied as 'great souls' and 'lone ones and twain ones' who are called to leave the state behind. ## Key lines > A state, is called the coldest of all cold monsters. Coldly lieth it also; and this lie creepeth from its mouth: 'I, the state, am the people.' The state is a frigid, deceptive entity that falsely claims to represent the people. _Zarathustra exposes the state's fundamental lie of embodying the collective will._ > There, where the state ceaseth—there only commenceth the man who is not superfluous: there commenceth the song of the necessary ones, the single and irreplaceable melody. Only beyond the state does the truly valuable individual emerge, singing a unique and essential song. _The chapter ends with a vision of freedom and self-realization outside state control._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/xi-the-new-idol - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters