Topsy-Turvy · Chapter
In Which J. T. Maston Regrets That the Crowd Did Not Lynch Him When He Was in Prison explained
After the failed attempt to shift the Earth's axis, J.
What happens
After the failed attempt to shift the Earth's axis, J. T. Maston faces public ridicule and humiliation. Despite Mrs. Scorbitt's efforts to shield him, he ventures out only to be jeered by crowds. Meanwhile, Barbicane and Nicholl return from Kilimanjaro, and a cablegram confirms the cannon was fired but produced no change in the Earth's rotation. The European delegates celebrate the failure, while Maston is left in despair, questioning his calculations.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Hubris
Maston's overconfidence in his calculations leads to public humiliation and failure, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Secrecy and Public Anxiety
The world waits in terror for the cannon's effect, and the failure brings relief mixed with mockery, highlighting the tension between secret projects and public fear.
Characters to notice
- J. T. Maston
Regrets not being lynched; suffers public mockery and is inconsolable after the operation's failure.
- Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt
Tries to protect Maston from insults and consoles him after his humiliation.
- President Barbicane
Returns from Wamasai with Nicholl; refuses to admit failure to the Sultan.
- Capt. Nicholl
Returns with Barbicane from the operation in Africa.
- Alcide Pierdeux
Remains calm and drinks champagne, noting the Earth continues its normal rotation.
- Major Donellan
Leads the European delegates in celebrating the sun's unchanged course.
Key passages
“J. T. Maston would not listen to anyone. He resisted the begging and tears of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. He went out of the house where he had kept himself hiding.”
Maston ignored Mrs. Scorbitt's pleas and left his hiding place.
Shows Maston's stubbornness and determination to face the public despite the consequences.
“The trial which Barbicane & Co. had made had entirely failed. The calculations of J. T. Maston were good only for the waste basket.”
The experiment was a complete failure, and Maston's calculations were worthless.
Highlights the public verdict on the failed project and Maston's discredited work.