The Diamond Lens by Fitz James O'Brien
"The Diamond Lens" by Fitz James O'Brien is a science fiction short story written during the mid-19th century, likely in the Victorian era. The narrative revolves around the concept of microscopic inquiry and the pursuit of scientific discovery, exploring the limits of human perception and obsession with knowledge. The story follows the protagonist, Linley, an aspiring microscopist who becomes enthralled by the beauty of a microscopic creature he names Animula, discovered througha diamond lens he constructs using a rare and large diamond. Initially, Linley is deeply captivated by Animula's ethereal beauty and the fantastical world within the drop of water in which she resides. However, he becomes increasingly consumed by his infatuation and neglects reality, leading to tragedy when the water evaporates and Animula perishes. Linley's obsession results in his mental and physical deterioration, reflecting the dangers of becoming too engrossed in one's pursuits, ultimately leaving him as a broken individual haunted by the loss of his beloved microscopic creation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | O'Brien, Fitz James, 1828-1862 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Diamond Lens |
| Note | Reading ease score: 69.7 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Credits | Produced by David Widger |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Murder -- Fiction |
| Subject | Microscopy -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 23169 |
| Release Date | Oct 24, 2007 |
| Most Recently Updated | Feb 6, 2013 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 386 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
