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The First Men in the Moon · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells.

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  1. Chapter 1

    Epigraph

    The epigraph quotes Lucian's Icaromenippus, referencing a journey from Earth to the Moon, setting a tone of fantastical lunar travel.

  2. Chapter 2

    The First Men in the Moon

    The narrative begins with Mr. Bedford, a struggling playwright, retreating to Lympne to write. There he meets the eccentric scientist Mr. Cavor, who is experimenting with a mysterious substance he calls Cavorite, capable of blocking gravity. Their accidental creation of Cavorite leads to the construction of a spherical spaceship, and the two men embark on a journey to the Moon. After landing, they explore the lunar surface during a sunrise, but lose their sphere. They encounter strange lunar life, including Mooncalves, and are captured by the insectoid Selenites. After a violent escape, Bedford returns to Earth alone, while Cavor remains on the Moon, later sending radio messages describing his audience with the Grand Lunar. The messages cease after Cavor inadvertently reveals humanity's warlike nature, leading to his probable demise.

  3. Chapter 3

    Mr. Bedford Meets Mr. Cavor at Lympne

    Bedford, a failed businessman seeking solitude to write a play, rents a bungalow in Lympne, Kent. There he meets the eccentric scientist Mr. Cavor, who is working on a substance opaque to all forms of radiant energy, including gravity. Bedford, seeing immense commercial potential, persuades Cavor to partner with him in developing and exploiting this substance, which they call Cavorite.

  4. Chapter 4

    II: The First Making of Cavorite

    Bedford recounts the accidental creation of Cavorite, which occurs when Cavor's neglect of the furnace leads to a catastrophic explosion. The substance, once formed, cuts off gravity, causing a violent upheaval of air and debris. Despite the destruction, Cavor is elated, insisting the experiment was a success. Bedford, though shaken, decides to continue working with Cavor, recognizing the immense potential of the discovery.

  5. Chapter 5

    The Building of the Sphere

    Cavor reveals his plan to build a Cavorite sphere for space travel, initially proposing a trip to the Moon and beyond. Bedford, after initial skepticism, becomes enthusiastic and they work tirelessly to construct the sphere. As completion nears, Bedford experiences a crisis of fear and doubt, briefly deciding not to join the voyage.

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  1. Chapter 6Inside the Sphere
  2. Chapter 7The Journey to the Moon
  3. Chapter 8VI: The Landing on the Moon
  4. Chapter 9VII: Sunrise on the Moon
  5. Chapter 10A Lunar Morning
  6. Chapter 11Prospecting Begins
  7. Chapter 12X: Lost Men in the Moon
  8. Chapter 13XI: The Mooncalf Pastures
  9. Chapter 14The Selenite's Face
  10. Chapter 15Mr. Cavor Makes Some Suggestions
  11. Chapter 16Experiments in Intercourse
  12. Chapter 17The Giddy Bridge
  13. Chapter 18Points of View
  14. Chapter 19The Fight in the Cave of the Moon Butchers
  15. Chapter 20In the Sunlight
  16. Chapter 21Mr. Bedford Alone
  17. Chapter 22Mr. Bedford in Infinite Space
  18. Chapter 23Mr. Bedford at Littlestone
  19. Chapter 24XXII: The Astonishing Communication of Mr. Julius Wendigee
  20. Chapter 25An Abstract of the Six Messages First Received from Mr. Cavor
  21. Chapter 26XXIV: The Natural History of the Selenites
  22. Chapter 27XXV: The Grand Lunar
  23. Chapter 28XXVI: The Last Message Cavor Sent to the Earth
  24. Chapter 29Endnotes