The First Men in the Moon · Chapter
VII: Sunrise on the Moon explained
Bedford and Cavor experience the dramatic lunar sunrise, which transforms the frozen, airless landscape into a boiling, melting chaos.
What happens
Bedford and Cavor experience the dramatic lunar sunrise, which transforms the frozen, airless landscape into a boiling, melting chaos. The sphere is violently tossed as the solid air liquefies and vaporizes, and they are knocked unconscious. Upon waking, they find themselves on a bank of earthy rock, with the surface of the moon now exposed.
Themes in this chapter
Alien Encounter and Communication
The lunar environment itself is alien and hostile, with the sunrise triggering a violent, incomprehensible transformation of the landscape.
Scientific Hubris and Its Consequences
Cavor and Bedford are unprepared for the extreme effects of the lunar day, highlighting the dangers of venturing into unknown environments without full knowledge.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Bedford
Narrates the sunrise; is blinded, bruised, and knocked unconscious by the violent upheaval.
- Mr. Cavor
Observes the air evaporating; tends to Bedford after the chaos; explains the transformation of the lunar surface.
Key passages
“As we saw it first it was the wildest and most desolate of scenes.”
Our first view was of an extremely barren and chaotic landscape.
Describes the initial appearance of the lunar crater.
“The sunlight had crept down the cliff, it touched the drifted masses at its base and incontinently came striding with seven-leagued boots towards us.”
The sunlight moved rapidly down the cliff and spread across the ground toward us.
Illustrates the swift advance of the lunar dawn.
“What had been solid air had suddenly at the touch of the sun become a paste, a mud, a slushy liquefaction, that hissed and bubbled into gas.”
The frozen air melted and vaporized instantly when hit by sunlight.
Describes the dramatic phase change of the lunar atmosphere.