H.G. Wells had been intrigued by speculations about the future progress of humanity towards a more equal society since his youth. (RUDDICK, 2007: 198) Studying at the Normal School of Science he came into contact with the mind-set of Thomas Henry Huxley who militated against the Social Darwinist thoughts which used evolutionary theories and were present in the late-Victorian society at the end of the 19th century. Huxley became an adored men-tor and friend for Wells who transferred and enhanced his ideas in his literature. (JANSING, 1977: 54)
The scientific romance The Time Machine, which was Wells’s first novel (GLENDENING, 2007: 7), explores the adventures of a respectable late-Victorian scientist within this evolutionary and Social Darwinist context. The scientist travels with his own created time machine into the year 802,701 where he finds the world of Eloi and Morlocks. These two species represent a degen-erated form of man whose retrogression results from socio-economic condi-tions. An additional journey 30 million years forward in time adds to the image of degeneration in the evolutionary process.
This research paper concentrates on the evolutionary and Social Darwinist theme of The Time Machine. First, an introduction to Social Darwinist thoughts in the end of the 19th century is given in order to set the context for this scien-tific romance. Secondly, the cognition process of the Time Traveller is analysed as this will make clear Wells’s examination with the social theories of his time. Studying selected symbols and images finally shows a detailed insight into the evolutionary subject of The Time Machine.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 From Evolution to Social Darwinism in the Fin de siècle
3 An analysis of “The Time Machine” in the context of Evolution and Social Darwinism
3.1 The perception of the future world
3.1.1 The Time Traveller’s hypothesises about the descent of man
3.1.2 The Time Traveller’s attitude towards Eloi and Morlocks
3.1.3 The arrival at the terminal beach
3.2 An analysis of selected symbols and images
3.2.1 Technology and the time machine
3.2.2 The Sphinx and the rhododendron bushes
3.2.3 The Palace of Green Porcelain
3.2.4 The image of eating
4 Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This paper examines how H.G. Wells uses his novel The Time Machine to criticize late-Victorian social theories, specifically focusing on the influence of evolutionary biology and Social Darwinism on the representation of humanity's future.
- Analysis of Social Darwinist thought in the late 19th century.
- Examination of the Time Traveller’s cognition process and evolving hypotheses.
- Interpretation of central symbols such as the Sphinx and the Palace of Green Porcelain.
- Investigation into the themes of degeneration, class struggle, and survival of the fittest.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 The Time Traveller’s hypothesises about the descent of man
Just arrived in the year 802,701 the Time Traveller asks himself facing an unknown world: “What if cruelty had grown into a common passion? What if in this interval the race had lost its manliness, and had developed into something inhuman, unsympathetic, and overwhelming powerful? I might seem some old-world savage animal, only the more dreadful and disgusted for our common likeness – a foul creature to be incontinently slain.” (WELLS, 2003: 23) At this moment he cannot know what he will experience in the future world. Nevertheless, these thoughts have a prophetic character by giving some glimpses on the future world and they prepare the reader about what he has to expect from this journey.
Experiencing the future world the Time Traveller is forced to collect information regarding the causes and effects of the future evolutionary process. Only when he understands the underlying system he will be able to regain his time machine and travel back home. (SCHNACKERTZ, 1992: 107) Within this process of cognition he applies rational and scientific methods. He does not use known theories and tries to verify them with the help of the conditions in 802,701. The Time Traveller creates hypothesises due to his observations and adapts them when he receives new information. (JANSING, 1977: 65) Nevertheless, there are also a few irrational aspects in his perception of the future world which is presented more precisely in chapter 3.1.2.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of H.G. Wells's intellectual background and the influence of Thomas Henry Huxley on his scientific romance.
2 From Evolution to Social Darwinism in the Fin de siècle: Discusses the transition of Darwinian evolutionary theory into Social Darwinist ideologies within late-Victorian society.
3 An analysis of “The Time Machine” in the context of Evolution and Social Darwinism: Investigates the narrative's exploration of human degeneration through the Time Traveller's perspective and key symbolic elements.
4 Conclusion: Synthesizes the argument that Wells uses the novel to criticize the deterministic and exploitative nature of Social Darwinist ideologies.
Keywords
H.G. Wells, The Time Machine, Social Darwinism, Evolution, Degeneration, Eloi, Morlocks, Victorian society, Natural Selection, Survival of the Fittest, Symbolism, Class Struggle, Scientific Romance, Cognition, Future Progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how H.G. Wells incorporates contemporary evolutionary and Social Darwinist theories into his novel The Time Machine to comment on the social anxieties of the late 19th century.
What are the primary themes analyzed in the work?
The central themes include the physical and mental degeneration of mankind, the critique of class-based societal structures, and the misuse of Darwinian concepts to justify dominance.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze how the Time Traveller’s changing perceptions and the narrative’s symbolic imagery reflect Wells’s critique of the social theories and class divisions prevalent in his time.
Which scientific methods are discussed in the context of the study?
The study highlights how the Time Traveller attempts to use rational, scientific observation to understand the future, contrasted against the irrational, often biased, assumptions he makes throughout his journey.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body analyzes the Time Traveller's hypotheses regarding the descent of man, his complex attitudes toward the Eloi and Morlocks, and an exploration of symbols like the Sphinx and the Palace of Green Porcelain.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include The Time Machine, Social Darwinism, human degeneration, class struggle, and evolutionary narrative.
How does the author interpret the relationship between the Eloi and the Morlocks?
The paper argues that the relationship represents an ironic inversion of the Victorian class system, where the former "Haves" (Eloi) have become vulnerable and the former laboring "Havenots" (Morlocks) have become predatory.
What is the significance of the "image of eating" mentioned in the analysis?
The image of eating is interpreted as a framework for the exploitative power dynamics between classes, suggesting that social history is "digested" and transformed into new forms of struggle.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2009, Evolution in H.G. Wells’s “The Time Machine”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138490
