Poetry · Chapter
Electric Light explained
The poem reflects on the marvel of electric light, inspired by a display in Toronto in September 1884.
What happens
The poem reflects on the marvel of electric light, inspired by a display in Toronto in September 1884. It draws a parallel to Bulwer-Lytton's tale of a subterranean world powered by 'vrill,' where artificial light banishes night and war is abolished. Yet the poet humbly concludes that even this brilliant invention is but child's play compared to the natural light of the sun, moon, and stars.
Themes in this chapter
Progress and Technology
The poem celebrates the advent of electric light as a marvel of human ingenuity, comparing it to the fictional 'vrill' power that brings peace and artificial illumination.
Nature and the Environment
Despite the wonder of electric light, the poet humbly acknowledges its inferiority to the natural beauty of the sun, moon, and stars.
Characters to notice
- Bulwer-Lytton
Referenced as 'the great Bulwer' whose pen traced the history of a coming race and a new found world.
Key passages
“Great blazing artificial light / It ever burns both day and night, / For they have neither sun nor moon, / But radiant, always 'tis high noon.”
The electric light shines constantly, creating an eternal day without need for the sun or moon.
Describes the perpetual artificial illumination of the imagined underground world.
“But after all, 'tis children's play, / Compared with the great orb of day, / Or when the moon it doth shine bright, / And stars do beautify the night.”
Yet the electric light is trivial when set beside the sun, moon, and stars.
The poet concludes that natural light far surpasses human-made illumination.