# Chapter III explained — The Special Correspondent

> Chapter companion for The Special Correspondent by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Claudius Bombarnac arrives in Baku and explores the city before boarding the steamer Astara to cross the Caspian Sea. He observes the bustling port, the cosmopolitan crowd, and the commercial significance of Baku. He meets the American Fulk Ephrinell, who is frantically loading forty-two cases of artificial teeth from Strong, Bulbul & Co. onto the ship. Claudius also encounters a young Englishwoman and a French couple among the passengers. The chapter highlights Baku's unique blend of Russian and Persian culture, its naphtha-rich soil, and the eternal fire sanctuary of Atesh Gah.

## Themes in this chapter

### Travel and Adventure

Claudius's exploration of Baku and preparation for the Caspian crossing embody the spirit of travel and adventure.

### Commerce and Enterprise

Ephrinell's frantic loading of forty-two cases of artificial teeth highlights American commercial enterprise and global trade.

### Cultural Diversity and Ethnography

The chapter describes Baku's cosmopolitan population, Persian architecture, Russian influences, and the Parsee fire-worshippers.

## Character check-ins

### Claudius Bombarnac

The narrator and protagonist, exploring Baku and preparing to board the Astara for the Caspian crossing.

### Fulk Ephrinell

An American businessman frantically loading forty-two cases of artificial teeth from Strong, Bulbul & Co. onto the steamer.

### Miss Horatia Bluett

A young Englishwoman traveling with Claudius; she is reserved and has a distinctly British demeanor.

### Monsieur Caterna

A Frenchman spotted on the quay with his wife, carrying numerous bags and packages.

### Madame Caterna

A Frenchwoman with blonde hair and blue eyes, traveling with her husband and carrying luggage.

## Key lines

> Baku is the most frequented and the safest port on the Caspian. Derbent, situated more to the north, cannot keep up with it, and it absorbs almost the entire maritime traffic of this sea, or rather this great lake which has no communication with the neighboring seas.

Baku is the busiest and most secure harbor on the Caspian, far surpassing Derbent, and handles nearly all the shipping on this isolated inland sea.

_Claudius describes Baku's dominance as a Caspian port._

> It was teeth which Strong, Bulbul & Co., of New York made! It was for manufacturing five thousand cases a week for the five parts of the world that this huge concern existed!

The cases contained artificial teeth produced by Strong, Bulbul & Co. of New York, a massive company that churns out five thousand cases weekly for global distribution.

_Claudius discovers the surprising contents of Ephrinell's cargo._

> Do you want a light or a fire? Nothing can be simpler; make a hole in the ground, the gas escapes, and you apply a match. That is a natural gasometer within the reach of all purses.

Need fire? Just dig a hole in Baku's soil, and escaping gas can be lit with a match—a natural gas supply available to anyone.

_Claudius marvels at Baku's abundant naphtha and natural gas._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters