# A Telegram explained — From the Earth to the Moon

> Chapter companion for From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne.

## What happens

As the Gun Club's great project nears completion, public excitement begins to wane until a startling telegram from Michel Ardan arrives for President Barbicane, proposing to ride inside a modified projectile to the Moon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Public Enthusiasm and Media Hype

The chapter describes how daily newspaper coverage had sustained public interest, and the telegram arrives just as excitement was feared to diminish, reigniting fervor.

### Human Ambition and Exploration

Michel Ardan's bold proposal to personally ride the projectile embodies the daring human spirit of exploration and risk-taking.

## Character check-ins

### Impey Barbicane

Receives the unexpected telegram from Michel Ardan, reacting with visible shock.

### Michel Ardan

Sends a telegram from Paris proposing to travel inside the projectile.

## Key lines

> The great work undertaken by the Gun Club was now virtually ended, and yet two months would still elapse before the day the projectile would start for the moon.

The Gun Club's massive project was almost complete, but there were still two months left until the launch.

_Sets the stage of near-completion and the long wait ahead._

> On September 30th, at 3:47 p.m., a telegram, transmitted through the Atlantic Cable, arrived at Tampa Town for President Barbicane.

At 3:47 p.m. on September 30th, a telegram sent via the Atlantic Cable reached President Barbicane in Tampa Town.

_Highlights the precise timing and modern communication technology used._

> Substitute a cylindro-conical projectile for your spherical shell. Shall go inside. Shall arrive by steamer Atlanta.

Replace your round shell with a cylindro-conical projectile. I will ride inside it. I will arrive on the steamer Atlanta.

_Michel Ardan's dramatic and concise proposal to personally join the lunar mission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se/chapters/a-telegram
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se/chapters