Midnight at the Electric

The historical context of Midnight at the Electric includes depictions of World War I in Lenore’s timeline and the Dust Bowl in Catherine’s timeline.

Anderson uses Lenore’s timeline to provide a first-hand perspective of life in England during the immediate aftermath of World War I. Referred to contemporarily as the “Great War,” this conflict lasted over four years and remains one of the deadliest wars in human record, with nine million soldiers and eight million civilians killed. This large toll was partly due to the increased production of powerful tanks and weapons made possible by the recent Industrial Revolution. The inclusion in the book of Forest Row, a real village in southern England that now holds a memorial to commemorate a WWI training camp that was established in the area, underscores the effects of war on rural communities. Lenore’s letters, which emphasize her personal experiences and internal reactions, highlight the emotional and psychological effects of war. These letters convey the anxiety, grief, and disruptions experienced by civilians. Through Lenore’s perspective, readers witness the heartache of losing loved ones to war and the strain of maintaining normalcy during tumultuous times. The use of the letters further enhances the authenticity, contributing to the novel’s realistic tones. Moreover, Anderson’s depictions of Lenore’s interactions with her community provide examples of the broader societal impacts of WWI. Anderson illustrates how the war fostered a sense of unity, portrayed through the Allstocks’ grieving period and the memorial celebration the family is actively involved in, and a sense of solidarity, shown through the uneasy friendship struck between strangers James and Lenore. This not only reflects the historical reality but also emphasizes the prominent themes of Resilience in the Face of Adversity and The Quest for Belonging and Acceptance running through the narrative.

Through Catherine’s timeline, Anderson depicts the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms that took place during the 1930s in the United States. The storms were caused by a combination of poor farming practices and drought, and they severely damaged the ecology and agriculture of American prairie land. Catherine’s story is set in Kansas, which is one of the states that was most affected by the Dust Bowl. The harsh environmental conditions—dust storms, failed crops, and illness—are described in detail in the book. Anderson’s portrayal particularly highlights the health consequences of the Dust Bowl, depicted through Beezie’s long-lasting dust pneumonia, and the environmental and economic hardships. The loss of crops and livestock led to widespread famine, poverty, and displacement, forcing many families to abandon their farms. Catherine’s family, like many in the real-world, faced tough decisions about whether to stay and try to restore their land or leave in search of a better life, further contributing to the theme of Resilience in the Face of Adversity. The depiction of the Dust Bowl also develops the theme of Environmental Destruction for the Sake of Progress by showing the consequences of dangerous farming techniques combined with environmental phenomena, like drought and strong winds.

Both WWI and the Dust Bowl elements in Lenore’s and Catherine’s timelines contribute significantly to the speculative fiction elements found in Adri’s timeline, in which humans are trying to colonize Mars. The environmental and social catastrophes of the past serve as a cautionary backdrop to the futuristic efforts of space colonization. Initially, Adri is judgmental of the older generations, including Lily, blaming them for causing the problems she is now facing, such as the rising sea levels. However, as her character arc progresses, Adri comes to understand that these issues were not created intentionally. This realization allows Adri and her fellow Colonists to carry those lessons forward with the hope of not repeating history. Anderson uses this connection to emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes to build a better future, weaving together historical context and speculative fiction to reflect the resilience and adaptability of humanity.