Review of the Time Machine by Wells, H.G

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Review of the Time Machine by Wells, H.G

The Time Machine is a 1895 novella published by H.G. Wells and its main theme is science fiction. The book was later adapted into a movie titled the same as the novella, as well as a significant number of adaptations into comic books and television versions. The novella was one of the first fiction works and, as it follows, it inspired a new trend in the literature world and in the media. The story only has about 32, 000 words and is generally based on the popularization of the notion of time travel through the use of some machine that allows the traveler to travel selectively and with purpose. This paper will review this novella and look at its main ideas and how they influenced the significant following and audience the novella has. Finally, the paper will provide thoughts as to why the book is interesting to the audience and readers.

This novella tells of a story of a man, who the author only refers to the Time traveler, who invents a machine that travels through time, which allows him to travel to such years as 802, 701. In this year, the Time Traveler finds that humanity has evolved into two different species- the Morlocks and the Eloi. As it seems to the Traveler, the Eloi generation seems to live a wonderful life without difficulties and filled with the pleasure. However, as the traveler finds out, these species do not have anything to work hard for as they want for nothing, and, as a result, the generation has lost their power of intelligent thought. On the other hand, the other generation seems to be surrounded by some darker reality. The Morlocks scare the Eloi as they only come out in the darkness.

Wells addresses a number of themes in this book. There are two main themes evident in the story. The most significant theme questions the notion that many individuals thought at the end of the nineteenth century, and continue to think today, that the human race will keep on progressing and that advancement and improvements in culture and society is a sure thing. Though one might consider this story optimistic at some levels, Wells in his realistic display of what might be the case in regards to science, the story is exceedingly pessimistic, giving a warning of the unthinking and unfettered trust in improvement and advancement, otherwise or scientific. Another essential theme has to do with the display of the danger capitalism can bring to a society, and how harmful it is to employees, as it is evident from the association made by the traveler among the Morlocks and the late nineteenth century workers and the Eloi species and the aristocracy in London. The novel indicates that the aristocrats do not have their power assured and that they might not be in control in the twentieth century as long as they keep on mistreating the other people. The overthrow of hierarchy is shown not to have resulted from an overthrow revolution, but via changes that were gradual, but with similar impacts, for in the final days of the human race there is no shelter from the predatory temperament of the past workers.

The way these themes are put together makes this book worth reading, and the fact that these major themes are still valid 100 or so years later. The discrepancy between the beautiful, leisured and uncaring human race, Eloi and the Morlocks who are brutal but mechanically inventive could easily be compared with the differences in commerce and art in the current world. And, of course, with the unrelenting threat of climate change and scenarios of extinction currently being rumored, the thought of an ending world id never too far away from the educated and civilized twenty first individuals. However, just a work of fiction, the book is thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable, and it is exceedingly recommendable.