The War of the Worlds · Chapter
IX: The Fighting Begins explained
The narrator describes a tense Saturday of waiting and preparation as military forces surround the Martians.
What happens
The narrator describes a tense Saturday of waiting and preparation as military forces surround the Martians. After a morning of rumors and discussions with soldiers, the afternoon brings shelling and a sudden Heat-Ray attack that destroys the Oriental College and nearby structures. Forced to flee, the narrator secures a horse and cart, packs valuables, and escapes with his wife and servant toward Leatherhead, witnessing the Martians' devastating firepower.
Themes in this chapter
Technology and Destruction
The Martians' Heat-Ray demonstrates advanced technology causing widespread destruction, overwhelming conventional military responses.
Human Vulnerability and Vanity
Despite military preparations and initial confidence, humans are shown as helpless against the Martians' superior weaponry, highlighting their vulnerability.
Social Order and Chaos
The sudden attack disrupts daily life, forcing people to flee and abandoning normal routines, as seen in the narrator's urgent departure.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Describes the day of suspense, interacts with soldiers and neighbors, secures a dog cart, and flees with his wife and servant.
- The Martians
Remain hidden in their pit, busy with preparations, and later unleash the Heat-Ray, setting fire to the college and surrounding area.
- Ogilvy
Mentioned as 'poor Ogilvy' among the dead on the common.
- Henderson
Mentioned as among the dead on the common.
- Stent
Mentioned as among the dead on the common.
Key passages
“Saturday lives in my memory as a day of suspense. It was a day of lassitude too, hot and close, with, I am told, a rapidly fluctuating barometer.”
The narrator recalls that Saturday felt tense and sluggish, with oppressive heat and a changing barometer.
Sets the mood of anxious waiting before the attack.
“I described the Heat-Ray to them, and they began to argue among themselves.”
The narrator explained the Heat-Ray to the soldiers, sparking a debate about tactics.
Shows the soldiers' unfamiliarity with the Martian weapon and their attempts to plan.
“Close on the heels of that came a violent rattling crash, quite close to us, that shook the ground; and, starting out upon the lawn, I saw the tops of the trees about the Oriental College burst into smoky red flame, and the tower of the little church beside it slide down into ruin.”
A loud crash nearby shook the ground, and the narrator saw the Oriental College's trees catch fire and the church tower collapse.
Describes the sudden and devastating impact of the Heat-Ray attack.
“I took care to have the cart there and then, drove it off down the road, and, leaving it in charge of my wife and servant, rushed into my house and packed a few valuables, such plate as we had, and so forth.”
The narrator quickly secured the cart, left it with his wife and servant, and hurried inside to gather some valuables.
Illustrates the urgency and chaos of the evacuation.