The First Men in the Moon · Chapter
In the Sunlight explained
After emerging from the lunar interior, Bedford and Cavor find themselves in the harsh sunlight of the moon's surface.
What happens
After emerging from the lunar interior, Bedford and Cavor find themselves in the harsh sunlight of the moon's surface. They realize they have been on the moon for ten days and have only four days of daylight left. They discuss the futility of their mission, the danger of the Selenites, and the possibility of never finding the sphere. Cavor laments the potential misuse of his discovery by humanity, while they plan to search systematically for the sphere before the lunar night overtakes them.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Hubris and Its Consequences
Cavor laments that science has 'toiled too long forging weapons for fools to use,' expressing regret over the potential misuse of his lunar discovery.
The Limits of Knowledge
The characters confront the vast unknown of the moon's interior and their own helplessness, highlighting the boundaries of human understanding.
Human Nature and Irrationality
Cavor criticizes humanity's tendency to turn everything into a 'battleground and theatre of infinite folly,' underscoring irrational human behavior.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Bedford
Bedford reflects on their predicament, suggests setting fire to the scrub to find the sphere, and feels a stab of emotion as he and Cavor separate to search.
- Mr. Cavor
Cavor expresses regret about their situation, worries about humanity's misuse of his discovery, and proposes a systematic search for the sphere.
- The Selenites
Mentioned as having been fought and scattered; their potential actions and hidden resources are a source of concern for Bedford and Cavor.
Key passages
“Science has toiled too long forging weapons for fools to use. It is time she held her hand.”
Science has spent too much effort creating tools for foolish people to misuse; it should stop.
Cavor expresses his regret about the potential warlike applications of his discovery.
“We have shown these moon folk violence, we have given them a taste of our quality, and our chances are about as good as a tiger's that has got loose and killed a man in Hyde Park.”
We have demonstrated our violent nature to the moon people, and our situation is as hopeless as a tiger that has escaped and killed someone in a city park.
Bedford compares their precarious position to a dangerous animal that has shown its true nature.
“Think of what that world must be! Think of that machine we saw, and the lid and the shaft! They were just remote outlying things, and those creatures we have seen and fought with no more than ignorant peasants, dwellers in the outskirts, yokels and labourers half akin to brutes.”
Imagine the true nature of the lunar world! The machine and creatures we encountered were only primitive outposts, and the Selenites we fought were like uneducated rural laborers.
Cavor speculates about the advanced civilization that must exist deeper within the moon.