# The New Citizen of the United States explained — From the Earth to the Moon

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

## What happens

Michel Ardan becomes an overnight celebrity in America after his duel proposal, receiving endless deputations, portraits, and public adoration. He humorously discusses lunar influence on maladies with Barbicane, visits the Columbiad, and rejects J.T. Maston's request to join the moon voyage. A preparatory experiment with a cat and squirrel in a projectile is conducted, resulting in the cat eating the squirrel. Ardan is officially granted U.S. citizenship by the President.

## Themes in this chapter

### Public Enthusiasm and Media Hype

Ardan's overwhelming popularity, portraits sold by the millions, and constant deputations illustrate the frenzy.

### The Unknown and Cosmic Mystery

Discussion of lunar influence on diseases and madness highlights the mystery surrounding the moon.

### Risk and Sacrifice for Knowledge

The experimental firing of a projectile with animals demonstrates the risks taken to ensure the safety of the moon voyage.

## Character check-ins

### Michel Ardan

Celebrated as a hero, receives deputations, discusses lunar influence, visits the Columbiad, and is granted U.S. citizenship.

### Impey Barbicane

Accompanies Ardan, discusses lunar influence on maladies, and oversees the preparatory experiment.

### J. T. Maston

Proposes to join the moon voyage but is refused; his squirrel is eaten by the cat in the experiment.

### Captain Nicholl

Present during the preparatory experiment and the visit to the Columbiad.

## Key lines

> That day all America heard about the duel and its singular termination. The part played by the chivalrous European, his unexpected proposition which solved the difficulty, the simultaneous acceptation of the two rivals, that conquest of the lunar continent to which France and the United States were going to march in concert⁠—everything tended to increase Michel Ardan’s popularity.

The news of the duel and its peaceful resolution, with the European's clever proposal accepted by both rivals, spread across America, boosting Michel Ardan's fame as France and the U.S. united for the moon mission.

_Describes the origin of Ardan's sudden popularity._

> Barnum offered him a million dollars to show him as a curious animal in the different towns of the United States.

Showman Barnum offered Ardan a million dollars to exhibit him like a freak show across America.

_Highlights the commercial exploitation of Ardan's fame._

> The mortar was loaded with 160 lbs. of powder and the bomb. It was then fired. The projectile immediately rose with rapidity, described a majestic parabola, attained a height of about a thousand feet, and then with a graceful curve fell into the waves.

The mortar, charged with 160 pounds of powder, launched the projectile, which soared to about a thousand feet in a parabolic arc before splashing into the sea.

_Describes the experimental firing of the projectile._

## Links

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