In Reference to Underlined Portions of “The Attraction of Planets”:
(Definitions are italicized)
- based on information that is not complete or certain
- These two questions ultimately represent for the reader the central objective of the paper.
- Delany expresses endearing awe towards this entrancingly archaic subject matter. Though in time he delves into the complex molecular intricacies of the cohesive attraction of molecules, the “beauty and wisdom” he ascribes to this process must be rooted in its straightforward foundation: Molecules are either positively or negatively charged. When two bodies with the same charge interact, they are mutually repelled from each other. When they are not similarly charged, they become attracted to each other. The unalloyed wonderment in Delany’s descriptions is palpable in this line.
- determine the direction of the current flow relative to an electrode; plays a large role in the process of polarity
- existing but not yet manifested or developed; hidden or concealed
- The usage of “omnipotence” in this context is of particular interest. It is not the sole instance in which Delany references faith and spirituality into what is otherwise a strictly scientific article. Even amidst his scrupulous (one may argue pedantic) observations, his writing maintains this underlying sense of almost holy reverence towards these “wonderful laws”.
- It is a common religious doctrine that God created the universe in its entirety. There is little historical evidence, however, to suggest that Delany was an overtly religious man, or at least that the notable happenings of his life involved his spirituality in a substantial way. There are these noticeable undertones simmering below the article’s surface that seem to magnify the complicated role that religion plays in the shaping of the scientific world.
- In essence he is saying, “In accordance with the word of God”.
- This paragraph largely depicts the Earth’s annual rotation around the Sun. Descriptive astronomic language flows in concurrence with spiritual terminology, as this is an undeniable reoccurring pattern of Delany’s writing in this article. Another possible inference to the “sacred” is his choice to identify the Earth as female. This plays into the ideology of “mother earth”, which had originated as far back as ancient Greece. The author blends pious doctrines and pragmatically scientific language to great effect.
- Here, Delany emphasizes the sheer, incomprehensible speed at which meteoric rocks will shoot across space. His comparison with the “swiftest penman” is followed by a truly beautiful line, “… or the darting across the heavens of a vivid flash of lightning.” This stirring language translates the idea that these rocks enter and exit our earthly sky in a fraction of a moment.
- Aphelion is the furthest point in a planet’s orbit of the Sun, and it is positive electricity that drives the planet to that point. Inversely, perihelion is the closest point in a planet’s orbit of the Sun, and negative electricity guides the planet to this point. Apogee refers to when the moon’s is at its furthest point from Earth. And perigee is the point at which the moon is closest to Earth.
- It seems as though this is in reference to the very center of the Earth, from which the entirety of this “electrical influence” is located. Perhaps it is the center’s positive charge that interacts in perfect tandem with the dissimilarly negative electrical charge emanating from space. This is a phrase that may warrant multiple interpretations.
- This is a downright poetic account of the integral functions of various matter and gas that have endlessly perpetuated the story of our universe. His line, “… of continual proximity and retrocession toward and from a common center,” is particularly striking. One’s mind cannot help but paint the image of a dance, slow and ancient, the dancers’ rhythm assured and steady,
- an ignorant or stupid person
- Knowing full well that there will be inevitable skeptics and criticism of his theories, he nonetheless expects his words to inspire positive thought and discourse.