Time Machine by HG Wells and Class Inequality

¶ … Machine

In the novel The Time Machine, there are a number of underlying themes that are discussed. One of the most notable is social inequality and how the main character is trying to address these challenges. To fully understand what is happening, there will be a focus on the ideas illustrated throughout the book. Together, these different elements will provide specific insights as to the relevance of The Time Machine in modern society and the life lessons that it is teaching to everyone.

The Time Machine and Social Inequality

The Time Machine was written and is originally set in the late 1890s. This is when there were a series of technological and social changes. The way that this is occurring, is the Time Traveler (i.e. The main character which is never given a name) is talking with his friends about a fourth dimension. They are skeptical of his views. As a demonstration, he sends a model of a time machine (which he built) back into the past. Everyone is intrigued, but also believes that the Time Traveler is playing some kind of trick. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

In the next few days, the Time Traveler believes that he has discovered something profound. He is of the opinion that the technological innovations and changes in society will lead to long-term benefits for all of humanity. To satisfy his curiosity, he decides to climb in the time machine and go forward into the future. At first he sees these transformations, with him traveling to the year 802,701 AD. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

When he arrives, he finds small humanoid creatures called Eloi. They live in a world that is forested and provides them with tremendous amounts of fruit to survive. After walking around the area; is the point that his time machine is taken by the Morlocks. These are humanlike life forms, which live underground and attack the Elois at nights. Their basic purpose is to use the Elois for food and breeding purposes. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

Realizing what was happening, the Time Traveler is astounded by how humanity has used evolution to create two distinct subspecies. One that is sustained on the other (i.e. The Eloi) and the higher life form which rules over them (i.e. The Morlocks). This angers the Time Traveler to the point that he must prevent these injustices from occurring in the future. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

At the same time, the Morlocks have taken his time machine and he must go to where they live to retrieve it. During this process, a battle ensues and he kills a large number of Morlocks. However, they trap him near the time machine and he jumps in to escape. Traveling into the future, the Time Traveler makes a number of stops. When this is happening, he sees how life is continually evolving and is attacked by giant crabs on a beach. He then travels thirty million years ahead and discovers that the atmosphere of the planet is very thin (where the only sign of life are large black blobs with tentacles). After returning to the 1890's, is when the Time Traveler will disappear for good by going to another period. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

These events are underscoring the overall amounts of inequality that are taking place in society. This is because exciting transformations are creating groups of people who will have tremendous advantages over others. At the time, many people believe that this is a natural part of evolution (with the strong able to adapt and survive). In the beginning, the Time Traveler thinks that these changes are for the better and that at some point humankind will have evolved beyond these challenges. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

However, after going into the future is when he realizes that this is the beginning of something more sinister. This occurs with select groups using the other segments to ensure their survival and way of the life. The segment with the most benefits, is taking a very selfish approach by not considering the long-term implications of their activities on the social order and the environment. Over the course of time, these differences will lead to the eventual destruction of the human race. At the end of the novel, is when these ideas are brought full circle with the Time Traveler realizing how life has regressed. (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)

Evidence of this can be seen with Time Traveler saying, "This room and you and the atmosphere of everyday is too much for my memory. Did I ever make a time machine or a model of a time machine? Or is it all only a dream? They say life is a dream, a precious poor dream at time - but I can't stand another that won't fit. It's madness! And where did the dream come from? I must look at the time machine if there is one." (Vinson) (Hammond) (Wells)