start of the novel, an intense electrical storm, referred to as a "tournade," disrupts the region of Europe. This serves as a backdrop for introducing Philoxène Lorris, who is scolding his son Georges for not achieving enough in life compared to his own accomplishments. Through a vivid description of the society's manipulation of weather and climate through electrical means, Robida sets the stage for discussions on atavism, personal ambition, and the impact of technological progress. The opening establishes a tension between tradition and innovation, pointing to possible future conflicts as Philoxène expresses concern over Georges’ perceived lack of scientific aptitude, possibly due to their ancestry, and suggests a marriage to ensure a scientifically capable lineage. (This is an automatically generated summary.)