HG Wells the Time Machine

¶ … Machine by H.G. Wells

The Time Traveller explained that things, such as a cube, exists not only in space, but also in time, and that time is the 'fourth dimension.'

According to the Traveller, it is possible to move around in the fourth dimension just as one would move around in the other three, which he refers to as length, breadth, and thickness, "...having only length, breadth, and thickness, can a cube have a real existence" (Wells pp).

He explains, "You know of course that a mathematical line, a line of thickness nil, has no real existence. They taught you that? Neither has a mathematical plane. These things are mere abstractions" (Wells pp). He says that since life moves forward in time, there is no reason why it could not move faster or slower, or move backward to the past, "we move in Time as we move about in the other dimensions of Space" (Wells pp). The Traveller then produced a miniature time machine made of ivory and crystal, about the size of a clock, and when he pushed a lever, the machine disappeared. He then showed the guests his real time machine.

The Traveller's logic actually seems quite reasonable. Although it is has never been proven that anyone has "really" time traveled, many people claim to have experienced deja vu, premonitions, clairvoyance, such as Edgar Casey who claimed to have traveled through time in his "mind."

When the Traveller first arrives, he believes the future is might well be very cruel, then notices figures in robes watching him from one of the buildings, and as they approach he finds them beautiful yet frail and sickly looking. He says that the creatures speak in a "sweet and liquid tone" and apparently have no fear of him (Wells pp). He observes that there are no signs of gender and that none of the Eloi seem old. The Traveller believes he has landed in a communist paradise and that the creatures are weak and frail due to living in a world void of fear and hardships. Then he meets the Morlocks, who are white ape-like creatures who live underground and believes that the creatures are the laborers and are only allowed to surface at night. The Traveller believes that the Morlocks have been forced underground to work for the Eloi, thus concludes that this future society is based on capitalism. He then begins to imagine that the labor division was carried to the extreme and at some point the ancestors of the Morlocks were driven underground to work for the Eloi and through the years the balance of power shifted. Now the Eloi have become weak and the Morlocks have become strong, both were probably descendents of man, but now the Morlocks practice cannibalism and prey upon the Eloi, thus, the Eloi live in fear of being out after dark and sleep huddled together in buildings. This third theory of power shift is akin to the theory of Marxism, workers overpowering the elite.

Wells uses the Traveller to express and comment on his own society. When the Traveller encounters the Eloi, he reflects on his own era in the history, and how human intelligence seems to be directed towards making life easier. He believes that this is why the Eloi have become frail and helpless and concludes that without hardships are necessary to inspire energy and zest for life, and therefore keeps humans mentally stimulated and physically strong. To live without danger, one may not have the need for the family. Through the Traveller, Wells explores the possible outcome of communism or communal living and the different directions that progress could take, too much progress might lead to too much comfort, which in turn might lead to a society of lazy and naive people.