# Reflections After Reading “The Coming Race” and “Looking Backward” explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

The poet reflects on two utopian novels, contrasting a world transformed by the discovery of Vril power—which ends all war—with a rose transplanted from a cold swamp to warmth and light, symbolizing societal improvement and peaceful progress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Progress and Technology

The discovery of Vril power ends wars and ushers in a peaceful civilization, highlighting technology as a transformative force.

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The poem contrasts warlike past with peaceful present, suggesting moral improvement through the rejection of war.

## Character check-ins

### Bulwer-Lytton

Author of 'The Coming Race,' whose pen traced the history of the coming race and described the discovery of Vril power.

## Key lines

> When the great Bulwer’s pen did trace The history of the coming race, His hero to us hath unfurled The glories of his new-found world.

Bulwer-Lytton wrote about a future society, and his protagonist reveals the wonders of that world.

_Introduces the source and subject of the reflection._

> Once all was discord and fierce wars, Continuous engaged in jars, Till they discovered great Vril power, Then wars did cease from the same hour.

Before Vril power, there was constant conflict, but its discovery immediately ended all war.

_Describes the pivotal role of Vril power in achieving peace._

> Bellamy describes a poor rose, Where in cold swamp it feebly grows; Transplanted to the heat and light, Bush blossoms are a charming sight.

Bellamy writes of a rose struggling in a cold swamp that, once moved to warmth and light, blooms beautifully.

_Uses the rose as a metaphor for societal improvement through better conditions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/reflections-after-reading-the-coming-race-and-looking-backward
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters