The New Atlantis Summary

The New Atlantis is a short novel by Francis Bacon. The novel starts with a ship, lost at sea trying to reach China but are strayed off towards the island of Bensalem, A Utopian society. As the crew arrives, they are questioned about their religion, and are told that the people of Bensalem are devout Christians. The island does not welcome these forgieners into their land, but does allow them to dock and take a break for a few days. Only because they are followers of Christ. Eventually, a worker from Bensalem is hired to watch over the travellers during their stay. During this, the worker tells the history of the island, of it's people, and the college-like “Salomon's House”. The travellers attempt to repay the worker for his kindness, but they are turned down unexpectedly. As the days go by, the crew learns more of Bensalem's history but is still not allowed to venture out on their own to explore it. Eventually, the crew is permitted to meet the Governor who is the Head of Salomon's house. Bacon begins to describe the Governor's entrance in great detail, emphasizing the luxury of the Governor. Then the most anticipated portion of the story begins, the Governor starts describing Bensalem's beauty and bounty in the most detailed way possible. Bacon here also starts using words that emphasize large and expensive, to the point where Bensalem is truly becoming a Utopia for the reader. As the Governor describes all of Bensalem's features, he mentions that it is a virgin island, and no stray wanderer is allowed to reside in it. Bensalem's great reward is the reward of light, and it is more valuable than currency. Due to this explanation, everything that is considered erratic about the characters of Bensalem are finally brought full circle and the Governor leaves the travellers speechless. After a blessing, the Governor instructs the travellers to make the most out of their stay, and then leave immediately never to return. Bacon makes the travellers never truly explore Bensalem, but instead invents futuristic ideas that are only spoken of but never interacted with. His inventions are found everywhere during the Governor's speech and are practically prophetic, but are also vague enough to keep Bensalem itself a mystery.  

The ending of all endings (Paris in the Twentieth Century)

Michel and Quinsonnas walked twoards the door to the outside. As they walk outside they notice that the sky has turned into a stark navy color, with stars shining brightly enough to blind a man. They were going to visit Uncle Huguenin and it had grew late amongst the tall buildings and cobblestone paths. “It's very cold don't you think Michel?” Quinsonnas asked with little interest, as if he was making light chatter.

“Well, it is winter, and the air is colder. The colors of the sky are darker and the leaves on the trees have died.” Michel responded, unthinkingly. They had finally approached Uncle Huguenin's home, it was large and covered in artistic mouldings. The brick-colored exterior had been illuminated by the shining lights of the windows. Someone was home.

Quinsonnas and Michel walked twoards the door hidden behind the bushes and prepared to knock. His hand hesitant, Quinsonnas looks at Michel, “This man is very knowledgeable and his philosophical outlook is beyond our years. Give him respect Michel, even if you don't agree with something he says.” Quinsonnas warns Michel.

Michel gives Quinsonnas a confused look, “Why sir I have only been the most grateful and humble, why would that change now?”

Quinsonnas gives Michel a sly look. His smile reaching each end of his ears, and his heavy hand starting to knock on the door loudly. Michel becomes startled, “Why are you being so loud!?” Quinsonnas's breath illuminates in the dark winds, “He's an old man and resides in the highest stories in order to ignore visitors. He won't ignore us!”

Suddenly the door opens, a woman holding a lantern stumbles into the door frame clutching it. Her dress being tripped all over, and her hair wrapped loosely in a wayward bun. “What do I owe this late night disturbance!?” She hastily and angirly spoke. Michel is suddenly enraptured by the willow-haired beauty, and becomes speechless.

Quinsonnas looks at the maiden, her disposition, and clears his throat. “Now Lucy, where is Huguenin?” The woman straightens herself, and her eyes become soft and lipid. Lucy and Quinsonnas walked twoards Hugenin who resides in a motorized wheelchair. His girth large and heavy, he wheels twoards Michel and Quinsonnas. Michel notices the paintings on the wall, “You're an artist!”

Suddenly the room becomes quiet, Quinsonnas and Lucy give Michel wide-eyed stares. Michel is confused, this was a private room and no one could be potential danger. Or, maybe Michel had become the danger.

“Uncle Huguenin! Please do not worry, he is one of my naïve fools that is hiding in secrecy with I.” Quinsonnas became quick to deter the shock and anger of the room. Huguenin's face irresponsive to the situation of being exposed as an artist.

“The boy has a large mouth, and little brain. He truly is a fool. What is your name son?” Huguenin wheeled twoards Michel, inspecting him. Michel suddenly is brought back to the room, and introduces himself to Hugenin.

“Quiqui please stop being so serious!!!!!!!” Lucy shouted, suddenly they hear loud sirens. Michel was suddenly explained to, that he was sitting at a secret artists meeting. And they had been exposed.

“There is a man at the bank who had been following me for weeks now, and he seemed suspicious but I had not realized that he could have been a spy!” Quinsonnas screamed as the entire room went animalistic.

Michel sat silently watching the entire room cry and scream, the police had finally came and the harsh cold had entered the room, numbing Michel's entire conciousness of the chaos in the room. They had been arrested.