In 1873, Svend Foyn established a monopoly on modern whaling in Norway, pioneering the use of factory ships that allowed for the efficient processing of whale products at sea. This innovation marked a turning point in the whaling industry, increasing production and profitability. Foyn's methods not only transformed the economy of Norway but also raised ethical concerns regarding the sustainability of whaling practices and the conservation of marine life.

The Norwegian modern whaling monopoly established in 1873 exemplified industrial scale whaling, provoking critiques in conservationist and ecological poetry. Poets like Rainer Maria Rilke began to address the moral implications of human impact on nature. This event catalyzed a literary movement that emphasized the need for environmental stewardship and the ethical treatment of wildlife.