Poetry · Chapter
Short Route to the Orient explained
The poet reflects on his 1858 prediction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and celebrates its role in speeding mail from Japan to Liverpool, surpassing even Jules Verne's fictional voyage around the world in eighty days.
What happens
The poet reflects on his 1858 prediction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and celebrates its role in speeding mail from Japan to Liverpool, surpassing even Jules Verne's fictional voyage around the world in eighty days. He praises the railroad and its steamships for providing cheap tea and establishing a quick route to the Orient, bidding farewell with a sense of pride.
Themes in this chapter
Progress and Technology
The poem celebrates the technological achievement of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and its steamships, which dramatically shorten travel and mail routes to the Orient.
Characters to notice
- James McIntyre
The poet and narrator who predicted the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1858 and now celebrates its success.
- Jules Verne
Referenced as the brilliant French author whose 'Around the World in Eighty Days' is now outdone by the Canadian Pacific's speed.
Key passages
“Having predicted the building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, in a poem I published in August, 1858, I felt proud to see the wonderful quick passage of the mails from Japan to Liverpool, via this road.”
The poet recalls his 1858 poem that foresaw the Canadian Pacific Railway and expresses pride in its now-realized speed for mail from Japan to Liverpool.
Highlights the poet's foresight and the railway's impact on global communication.
“For the Canadian Pacific Runs her cars at speed terrific; Her steamers swiftly plow the seas, Which gives to us our cheap, fine teas.”
The Canadian Pacific Railway runs its trains at tremendous speed, and its steamships cross the oceans quickly, bringing us affordable, high-quality tea.
Emphasizes the practical benefits of the railway and steamship services.