In 1895, H.G. Wells wrote The Time Machine- a seemingly simple time-travelling adventure with much deeper undertones alluding to Wells’ view of the inequality within society at the time. Time and time again, the story refers to class oppression, some way or another. The overarching theme of the oppressive nature of class distinction in society is clearly shown through the societal origins of the Eloi and Morlocks, the actions of the Morlocks and Time Traveller, and the various titles of the characters.
The theme of societal oppression presented throughout Wells’ novella is directly on account of his personal ideological beliefs and upbringing. During the 1890’s, Britain was experiencing much growth and prosperity, as both industrialization and population were on the rise- but despite the economic boom, the gross majority of the people were of the lower classes, and they toiled away in factories and workshops. As the child of parents who worked as servants for wealthy families, Wells observed firsthand the social divide between the rich and the poor. He believed in the idea of social Darwinism, that society was a ‘survival of the fittest’, and he conveyed this belief through his two immensely divergent races of Eloi and Morlocks.“Its …show more content…
He has his own servants, owns a large house, and is acquaintances with similarly wealthy men, such as the Psychologist and the Doctor. Due to his status, he also is shown to be more sympathetic to the Eloi than the Morlocks, despite knowing that it was oppression by the Eloi that led to the Morlocks becoming what they are. Because he is of the upper class, just as the Eloi are, the Time Traveller does not show any kind of sympathy for the Morlocks. Upon meeting the creatures, his immediate reaction is disgust and loathing, assumably due to an intrinsic distaste for the working class, as a wealthy member of the privileged
The theme of societal oppression presented throughout Wells’ novella is directly on account of his personal ideological beliefs and upbringing. During the 1890’s, Britain was experiencing much growth and prosperity, as both industrialization and population were on the rise- but despite the economic boom, the gross majority of the people were of the lower classes, and they toiled away in factories and workshops. As the child of parents who worked as servants for wealthy families, Wells observed firsthand the social divide between the rich and the poor. He believed in the idea of social Darwinism, that society was a ‘survival of the fittest’, and he conveyed this belief through his two immensely divergent races of Eloi and Morlocks.“Its …show more content…
He has his own servants, owns a large house, and is acquaintances with similarly wealthy men, such as the Psychologist and the Doctor. Due to his status, he also is shown to be more sympathetic to the Eloi than the Morlocks, despite knowing that it was oppression by the Eloi that led to the Morlocks becoming what they are. Because he is of the upper class, just as the Eloi are, the Time Traveller does not show any kind of sympathy for the Morlocks. Upon meeting the creatures, his immediate reaction is disgust and loathing, assumably due to an intrinsic distaste for the working class, as a wealthy member of the privileged