155:‘Unknown worlds,’ distant, mysterious, and intriguing scholars for some time, trouble a young American astronomer, Edwin Harting. Fixated on Mars, this ‘fanatic’ imagined that intelligent beings live there and that it is essential to establish contact with them. To this end, he persuaded millionaire Brighton to build a gigantic telescope with a two-meter diameter and to light signals on several selected high points. Understandably, such an enterprise seemed like madness to practical Americans. Merchants, astonished by Brighton’s sport, declared him insane or bankrupt, which in the business world amounts to the same thing. In the city, people pointed at the millionaire, and on the stock exchange, his company was distrusted. Nevertheless, Brighton and Harting were not deterred from their plan. They built the giant telescope and lit those signals for the Martians. Mr. Umiński filled this framework with a wealth of adventures, linked together according to all the rules of a science fiction novel, relying primarily on the skillful combination of many intriguing details. Harting, setting out on the journey to light the signals, naturally encounters various perils during his travels through wild lands and endures many hardships. He survives animal attacks, earthquakes, suddenly dried-up rivers, and more.
301:(already existing). Umiński simply increased the scale of the telescope (in the first version of the novel, it is a two-meter lens telescope; in reality, the largest such telescope existing at that time had a one-meter lens, and larger ones were never built as refracting telescopes were displaced by other types; in a later version, Umiński changed the diameter to three and a half meters). Other science fiction elements in the novel include advanced (miniaturized)
77:
410:, the characters create a "second sun" that generates a light signal, while also injuring nearby animals and people; however, Umiński focuses on the positive aspect of human victory over the forces of nature, and the situation of the "blinded and burned indigenous people" is mentioned only briefly. As Makuch writes:
123:
In this novel, the main character, astronomer Edwin
Harting, decides to establish contact with the Martians. To achieve this, he uses a modern telescope and a technique of sending light signals produced by burning aluminum, a method developed by chemist Barrett. Unfortunately, the expected response
257:
The origin of the novel is partially related to Umiński's own dreams, as he was fascinated by technology and participated in inventive and construction work, but could not significantly pursue them due to financial problems. Like many of Umiński's other works, this book is also considered to be
375:
of the atmosphere" and numbers, including entire paragraphs of calculations. According to Damian Makuch, the novel follows a fairy-tale structure, where the main character, astronomer
Barrett, overcomes various obstacles with the help of other characters.
305:
technology and interplanetary communication using burning aluminum, although, like the telescope, these are only realistically advanced versions of technologies already existing in the real world and known to science popularizers like Umiński.
350:
era, who accused the author of "adoration for
America", leading to the book's lack of reprints between 1947 and 1955 despite Umiński’s efforts). An acknowledgment to Lowell might also be the setting of a significant part of the novel in
971:
Wróblewski, Maciej (2005). "„Na drugą planetę" Władysława Umińskiego, czyli o radości uprawiania nauki" [Władysław Umiński's 'To the Second Planet', or On the Joy of Doing
Science]. In Stoff, A.; Brzostek, D. (eds.).
561:
Sedeńko, Wojciech (2021). "Przedmowa" [Foreword]. In Sedeńko, Wojtek; Kochański, Krzysztof; Szyda, Wojciech; Majka, Paweł; Dębski, Rafał; Kotulak, Kacper; Sikorska, Anna; Pawlak, Romuald; Miszczak, Andrzej (eds.).
321:). Wróblewski notes that the science fiction element in the novel is less about the "wonderful" inventions mentioned, which are not particularly impressive compared to many more daring works of the genre, but more about
366:
trend, although with a more moderated didactic approach. The science fiction elements include inventions (advanced telescope and light signal technology), as well as frequent use of scientific terms like
412:
The horror of this phenomenon is ignored, and the fear of modernization is suppressed. The development of science and technology blinds; Umiński does not see the danger lurking behind this bright light
393:
If only
Harting restrains his emotions, dedicates himself to work, and describes his achievements using scientific language (a work promised in the last words of the novel), he will surely succeed
297:
Smuszkiewicz considered the "science fiction element" of the novel to be relatively poor – aside from the potential element of life on Mars, the "science fiction" gadget Umiński described is a
399:, as Umiński positively portrays characters who sacrifice much to reach the truth (astronomer Harting, journalist Tabb); according to Makuch, Umiński’s feelings can be summarized as follows:
873:
201:). The second edition there in 1903 had the same title, although other sources refer to the 1913 edition as the second edition. From the 1913 edition onwards, the book was titled
346:
The action of the novel is set in the United States, a country that Umiński realistically associated with advanced technology (which was later criticized by censors in the
141:
The novel also features secondary characters, such as the journalist Tabb, who spies on the scientists, and the millionaire
Brighton, who funds the scientific endeavors.
401:
one should not forget common sense, as curiosity can lead to... harm, but significant omissions by the narrator indicate that in the face of knowledge, more is allowed
132:). The lack of a clear response from Mars at the end of the novel drives Harting to obsession, or perhaps even madness (although, according to Umiński’s later novel,
428:
All of Mr. Umiński's science fiction novels fully deserve recognition and support. They add a native element to the rich fairy tales of foreign authors in this genre
452:
this novel can indeed captivate students of real schools, familiar with natural sciences and mathematics; and in some scenes, it exhibits an uncommon dramatic power
309:
It was one of the first, if not the first, Polish novels dealing with the subject of Mars in a science fiction context (Umiński kept up with the discoveries of
952:
1003:
130:
concluded that it was reflected sunlight, but it could not determine whether the reflecting surface was natural, like a group of clouds, or artificial
750:
124:
from Mars does not arrive, although ambiguous changes are observed, which some interpret as a reply from the
Martians, but most remain skeptical (
209:). The book saw subsequent editions, including those in 1921, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1946, 1956, 1957, 1968, and 1972 (the last editions published by
112:. It is one of the first Polish novels of this genre. The novel was serialized in a magazine in 1894 and published as a book the following year.
1020:
987:
677:
575:
492:
1025:
339:, in later revisions of the work, Umiński became more open to the motif of establishing contact with Mars, possibly influenced by
176:
973:
663:
347:
391:/dreamer (Harting). Umiński morally suggests that Barrett's practical approach is more realistic; as Makuch writes:
1030:
852:
106:
28:
356:
115:
The plot centers around an attempt to establish contact with Mars using a telescope and powerful light signals.
701:
531:[Encounter with the Alien. Restricted Imagination in Władysław Umiński's Novel 'Into Unknown Worlds'].
894:
372:
329:
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109:
222:
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310:
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171:
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134:
127:
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478:
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334:
210:
166:
997:
440:
273:
529:"Spotkanie z Obcym. Zmyślenie ograniczone w powieści "W nieznane światy" Władysława Umińskiego"
406:
Makuch and Wróblewski criticize the downplaying of the negative consequences of inventions. In
227:
983:
910:
771:
683:
673:
672:] (in Polish). Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskiego Towarzystwa Przyjaciół Nauk. p. 116.
571:
540:
488:
146:
637:
772:"Wieczory Rodzinne. Tygodnik ilustrowany dla dzieci. R. 13, 1892 nr 17 (11 [23] IV)"
190:
323:
respect for knowledge and almost uncritical trust in the cognitive possibilities of science
284:
314:
264:
193:, 1895, published by the Polish Bookstore of Kazimierz Grendyszyński) also bore the title
46:
880:
Children's and Young Adult
Literature from 1864 to 1918: A Monographic Outline; Materials
239:
528:
384:
318:
875:
Literatura dla dzieci i młodzieży w latach 1864 - 1918: zarys monograficzny; materiały
1014:
368:
726:
446:
wrote about the book. The reviewer commended the educational value of the novel (
774:[Illustrated Weekly for Children. Year 13, 1892, Issue 17 (April 11 )].
644:
Contemporary Polish
Writers and Literary Scholars: A Biobibliographic Dictionary
340:
259:
138:, set in the same universe but some time later, Harting ultimately succeeded).
363:
302:
914:
687:
544:
271:
It was not Umiński’s first novel containing elements of science fiction (his
897:[Outsiders of Literature: Kornel Makuszyński and Władysław Umiński]
646:] (in Polish). Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne. p. 436.
639:
Współcześni polscy pisarze i badacze literatury. Słownik biobibliograficzny
290:
in 1892 and published as a book in 1894, included a futuristic model of an
485:
The
Enchanted Game: An Outline of the History of Polish Science Fiction
407:
291:
610:[Kurjer Warszawski. Year 74, Issue 346 (December 15, 1894)].
352:
82:
662:
Kochanowicz, Rafał; Mrozek, Dorota; Stefaniak, Beata, eds. (2012).
150:
newspaper from 1894, a detailed summary of the novel was presented:
882:] (in Polish). Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne. p. 62.
895:"Autsajderzy literatury: Kornel Makuszyński i Władysław Umiński"
759:] (in Polish). Państwowe Wydawn. Naukowe. 1973. p. 591.
533:
Wiek XIX. Rocznik Towarzystwa Literackiego Im. Adama Mickiewicza
395:. At the same time, however, the novel is also a tribute to the
487:] (in Polish). Poznań: Wydawn. poznańskie. pp. 70–72.
480:
Zaczarowana gra: Zarys dziejów polskiej fantastyki naukowej
861:] (in Polish). Państwowe Wydawn. Naukowe. p. 594.
381:
are a point of collision between two approaches to science
982:] (in Polish). Wyd. Uniwersytetu Mikołaka Kopernika.
450:) and the development of the characters, concluding that
570:] (in Polish). Olsztyn: Stalker Books. p. 16.
448:
presentation of geographical, climatic, etc., knowledge
793:[Fragments of Biography - Władysław Umiński].
379:
Makuch notes that the scientific debates in the novel
636:
Czachowska, Jadwiga; Szałagan, Alicja, eds. (2003).
608:"Kurjer Warszawski. R.74, nr 346 (15 grudnia 1894)"
70:
60:
52:
42:
34:
24:
980:Polish Science Fiction Literature: Interpretations
957:(in Polish). J. Noskowski. 1895. pp. 176–177.
359:mountains (where his observatory was located).
182:in 1894 (issues from 27 to 48) under the title
975:Polska literatura fantastyczna: interpretacje
909:. Białystok: Uniwersytet w Białymstoku: 308.
207:To the Second Planet: A Science Fiction Novel
8:
568:Mars: An Anthology of Polish Science Fiction
19:
670:Science fiction genre in the face of change
56:Polish Bookstore of Kazimierz Grendyszyński
939:
927:
838:
826:
814:
606:Olszewski, Franciszek (15 December 1894).
590:
199:In Unknown Worlds: A Science Fiction Novel
18:
16:Science fiction novel by Władysław Umiński
791:"Okruchy biografii - Władysław Umiński"
462:
195:W nieznane światy. Powieść fantastyczna
105:) is a Polish science fiction novel by
1002:: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (
995:
433:In 1885, a reviewer from the magazine
203:Na drugą planetę. Powieść fantastyczna
859:Literature of the Young Poland Period
757:Literature of the Young Poland Period
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564:Mars: antologia polskiej fantastyki
527:Makuch, Damian Włodzimierz (2013).
213:). A fragment of the novel titled
14:
789:Urbański, Konrad (20 May 2016).
704:[To the Second Planet].
165:The book was first published in
75:
872:Kuliczkowska, Krystyna (1981).
854:Literatura okresu Młodej Polski
851:Kuliczkowska, Krystyna (1973).
752:Literatura okresu Młodej Polski
903:Wschodni Rocznik Humanistyczny
1:
1021:Polish science fiction novels
817:, pp. 196, 199, 205–206)
665:Fantastyka w obliczu przemian
477:Smuszkiewicz, Antoni (1982).
387:/practical (Barrett) and the
426:praised the novel, writing:
355:(Lowell’s hometown) and the
1026:1894 science fiction novels
277:, serialized in the weekly
1047:
893:Budrowska, Kamila (2015).
262:'s writing (specifically,
706:encyklopediafantastyki.pl
727:"Title: Słońce na Ziemi"
422:A reviewer from 1894 in
362:The novel fits into the
348:Polish People's Republic
221:) was also reprinted in
189:The first book edition (
99:, first editions titled
770:Hauke, Ludwika (1892).
612:Biblioteka Jagiellońska
373:attenuation coefficient
158:
330:Krystyna Kuliczkowska
311:Giovanni Schiaparelli
223:Zbigniew Przyrowski's
152:
397:desire for knowledge
299:refracting telescope
128:optical spectrometer
97:To the Second Planet
829:, pp. 197–198)
317:and theories about
161:History of editions
21:
702:"Na drugą planetę"
274:Balonem do bieguna
1031:Young adult books
989:978-83-231-1907-4
776:Wieczory Rodzinne
679:978-83-7654-142-6
577:978-83-66280-71-7
494:978-83-210-0303-0
424:Kurier Warszawski
280:Wieczory Rodzinne
184:W nieznane światy
172:Przyjaciel Dzieci
147:Kurier Warszawski
135:Zaziemskie światy
110:for young readers
107:Władysław Umiński
102:W nieznane światy
88:
87:
71:Publication place
29:Władysław Umiński
20:Na drugą planetę
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247:New Civilization
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235:Nowa cywilizacja
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219:The Sun on Earth
211:Nasza Księgarnia
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169:in the magazine
92:Na drugą planetę
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62:Publication date
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215:Słońce na Ziemi
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905:(in Polish).
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385:utilitarian
341:H. G. Wells
333: [
283: [
260:Jules Verne
249:) in 1973.
238: [
226: [
175: [
1015:Categories
801:2024-09-07
736:2024-09-07
712:2024-09-07
458:References
364:positivist
303:phonograph
232:anthology
95:(English:
998:cite book
915:1731-982X
688:828559035
545:2080-0851
418:Reception
53:Publisher
253:Analysis
35:Language
954:Ateneum
436:Ateneum
408:Ecuador
292:airship
144:In the
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911:ISSN
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313:and
126:the
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