Right on, and thanks. Envy seems to be a big part of the root of Toohey's evilness. The novel gives a description of his childhood, and there is definately a reason for him to feel inferior in ways a boy doesn't like.

Thanks, khalling. Great way to summarize it! In a way, I see it as a circle - he wants to destroy excellence to achieve power as you say, but also he wants power to promote a system that will destroy excellence. Maybe I confused the two halves of the circle in my essay. Thanks.