# Short Route to the Orient explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/short-route-to-the-orient
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters