The Time Machine Essay Example

educate readers and capture their attention. Additionally, the character of the time traveler in Wells' novel employs persuasive tactics, stating that "Scientific people" acknowledge time as a mere form of space. By appealing to their consciousness with this statement, he aims to instill belief in his theory based on the fact that intelligent individuals accept it. This approach to persuasion relies on the notion that if many people believe something, it must be true – a primitive yet still effective method.The individuals he is attempting to convince have a mindset reminiscent of the 19th century, and they are affluent and competitive with other prosperous individuals. The time traveler hopes that if other wealthy and intelligent people endorse this theory of a fourth dimension, it will inspire them to explore it further. In the book Time Machine, the key characters include the time traveler, Filby, the psychologist, and the provincial mayor. Later on, the silent man and the editor also become involved. Filby is depicted as "an argumentative person with red hair" and is also referred to as the "young man" by Wells. The psychologist is labeled as "the medical man". When the group of intellectuals proceed to the laboratory, the time traveler is briefly described as having a peculiarly-shaped head. Upon reaching the machine's location, it is described as being composed of various materials such as nickel, ivory, and rock crystal that have been shaped or carved. Presumably, these characters were chosen as witnesses due to their higher education and reputed credibility. The psychologist would be advantageous in persuading others that it is not a hoax due to his understanding of human behavior.The provincial mayor,

who is an intelligent man, gained the support of the people. If he believes in this concept, many others will likely follow suit. Another character named Filby does not discuss his social standing, though he may be a friend as he winked at the time traveler. Conversely, he may not be a friend as he openly questioned the time traveler's time machine. H.G. Wells introduces two additional characters at the dinner meeting with the time traveler. The main character has returned from the future. The medical doctor and provincial mayor are accompanied by the editor, also known as the journalist, along with a silent man. The editor refers to his guests as "Blank, Dash, and Chose," though their roles are not specified, hence it is unclear which one is the mayor, psychologist, or silent man. Despite some initial doubt, the editor listens eagerly to the story as he may have been seeking a newsworthy story about someone claiming to have journeyed to and from the future.They all agree that the time traveler can share his story without interruption because he is too exhausted to answer questions or be accused of lying. He begins by stating that he has experienced "eight days...such days that no human has ever experienced before!" He then describes being in his laboratory, working on his time machine and trying to finish it before Friday. He manages to complete it that morning, but is delayed because the ivory rod is too long and needs to be remade. Finally, the time traveler embarks on his journey into the future, unsure if anything will happen as the machine is untested. However, he realizes that

time has indeed passed when he sees the clock showing the time has changed from just after ten to almost half past three. This detailed explanation serves to captivate the reader's imagination and enhance the illusion of time travel. The time traveler also mentions his maid, Mrs. Watched, who enters the laboratory and moves around quickly like a rocket.He explains the time traveling experience as a sense of falling and the speed is so great that it feels like any minute you will smash into another object. All these details suggest that it's not a comfortable ride, especially when he said "I remarked indeed a clumsy swaying of the machine, for which I was unable to account." There is evidence that the laboratory and the time traveler's house were torn down when he saw the brief picture of scaffolding.

A snail went across the room at a speed that his eyes could not keep up with. After his house was gone, he was in the open air and saw huge buildings erect themselves all around him. Wells was right in his assumption about these buildings because skyscrapers do exist in our time. He saw all the vegetation grow and die. The moon ran its cycles and the sun shot across the sky so fast that it was hurting the time traveler's eyes. The time traveler witnessed the seasons changing from snow to spring in a continuous cycle.The protagonist hesitated to stop, fearing that his and the object's molecules would collide if they occupied the same space at the same time. This concept delves into the realm of science and incorporates elements of chemistry. The main character

clarifies that such fusion of molecules would trigger a chemical reaction, resulting in an explosion. Despite this potential danger, his curiosity drives him to take the risk, adding suspense to the narrative. Eventually, he halts and is forcefully ejected from his time machine, coinciding with a thunderstorm—an authentic occurrence considering frequent rainfall in the UK. Following the storm's departure, voices emanate from the bushes. A person emerges, resembling a diminutive figure approximately four feet tall. Clad in a purple tunic secured by a leather belt around the waist, their footwear - whether sandals or buskins - remains unclear.His legs were exposed up to his knees, and his head was uncovered. He believed that these creatures were weak and not very intelligent, which turned out to be true. His perception of their intelligence was confirmed when one of the human-like beings inquired if he had arrived from the sun atop a thunderstorm. Additionally, when he made a threatening gesture towards them as they approached the machine, they immediately retreated. His assumption of their fragility was validated by this incident. He observed that many of them resembled each other, which he found peculiar. This could be due to their long history of being bred and raised like livestock, resulting in a high degree of genetic similarity among them. However, Wells was unaware that such close breeding and genetic sharing, especially in mammals like humans, leads to sterility and eventual extinction.He possessed limited understanding from the 19th century, which indicates his unawareness or indifference towards the study of genetics, a field which most individuals were likely oblivious to. People, lacking enthusiasm for education, engaged in repetitive play with

toys, eventually losing interest. Although he could not comprehend their language fully, it seemed to be derived from English, as one of the Elis inquired if he came from the sun, to which he comprehended. However, some statements made by the Elis did not align with his knowledge at that time. The time traveler noticed a white sphinx and described it as having a silver tree located on its shoulder. This marble sphinx had wings that were spread out.The time traveler described a bronze pedestal that was covered in thick verdigris. He also mentioned a building where the Eloi lived, which had huge doors and was of colossal dimensions. The entrance of this building had carvings of Phoenicians. After observing a sphinx, Phoenician carvings, and the primitive nature of the people, the time traveler doubted whether he was actually in the future. His doubt was confirmed when he noticed the date on his dials, which read 802,701 A.D. He observed that the Eloi mostly consumed fruits and vegetables and noticed a lack of economic and cultural struggle in the surroundings. This suggests that the time traveler had some knowledge of archaeology and possibly history. He even expressed a desire to witness the accepted account of the Battle of Hastings. Furthermore, when he looked at the countryside, he remarked to himself, "Communism, I said to myself."This passage presents the knowledge of H. G. Wells regarding Marxism Communism, without indicating his stance on it. Initially, he believed that this society was a triumph for mankind, as they lived in peace. However, he later discovers that the Eloi are being bred, fattened, and ultimately consumed by the Morlocks,

who resemble ants. Upon returning to check on his time machine and finding it gone, the protagonist becomes increasingly panicked. Even when he falls and sustains a facial injury, causing blood to trickle down, he does not pause or hesitate. At this point, the time traveler is overwhelmed and determined to retrieve his time machine. Learning about the Eloi is no longer his priority; his focus has shifted. H. G. Wells effectively portrays the realistic thought processes that individuals undergo when faced with problems.The time traveler paces, his conscious attempting to calm down and find solutions. He then comes across Weena, an adult Eloi girl swimming in a stream. She experiences a cramp and starts to drown, while the other Eloi make no effort to save her. The time traveler intervenes to save her life, and they form a close bond. Both of them display discomfort towards the darkness, just like the other Eloi. They refuse to sleep alone or venture out at night. The time traveler contemplates various theories about the heightened temperature in the region, speculating that either the planets are closer to the sun or that a planet has collided with the sun, providing it with renewed energy. While seeking shelter from the heat in a building, he discovers a gallery of history.The text reveals a variety of artifacts such as fossils, machines, weapons, chemicals, and idles from different cultures like Greek, Phoenician, and English. The protagonist discovers tunnels with half-pillar-like structures resembling ant colonies. The time traveler encounters a Morlock with dull white skin, large greyish-red eyes, and flaxen hair. He eventually deems them as mechanical servants serving the Eli, expressing

his hatred towards them and his desire to eliminate them, despite their being descendants of humans. The Morlocks are carnivorous and prey on the Eloi. Accompanied by Weena, the time traveler returns to the gallery. There, he finds matches and utilizes a lever from an ancient machine as a mace to physically harm the Morlocks. Additionally, he discovers camphor, a substance resembling candle wax.When night fell, he departed from the gallery and intentionally ignited fires, aiming to blind the creatures. However, he encountered difficulties in setting vegetation ablaze. These beings, known as the Morlocks, had an intense sensitivity to light. They launched an attack on him, but he defended himself with his mace. Individually, they were weak, but their collective strength posed a formidable challenge. As the fires subsided and darkness returned, they seized him and attempted to bite his neck. Reacting with intense combat skills fueled by anger, he fought back vigorously. The fires reignited, causing the Morlocks to wriggle in agony and emit moaning sounds amongst themselves. Despite having the upper hand, he chose not to kill any of them while they were defenseless. After sleeping for a while, he set off towards the white sphinx come morning.To his surprise, the time traveler notices that the doors are open and the time machine is visible. Clearly, it appears to be a trap set for him. Despite suspecting a trap, he proceeds through the doors. As soon as he boards the time machine, the doors abruptly close. The Morlocks burst into laughter, believing that he is now trapped. Attempting to light a match, he discovers that it only ignites on the matchbox. Defeating one

of the Morlocks, he quickly climbs onto his time machine and hurriedly pushes the lever forwards. In a state of panic, he is propelled forward in time, finding himself in an uncomfortable position on the time machine. Suddenly, he comes to a halt and finds himself on a beach, where two enormous crustaceans attempt to devour him. Acting swiftly, he accelerates even further into the future, reaching a point 30 million years or more ahead, witnessing the sun gradually growing bigger and more dim. At this point, darkness envelops the world, making it increasingly challenging to breathe.When he believed life had ceased to exist, the time traveler observes a life form swimming in the water, roughly the size of a football. Following this encounter, he returns to his laboratory, albeit in a different location caused by the Morlocks manipulating its position in the future. Both the editor and the medical doctor are unwilling to believe his extraordinary tale, even for a moment. The medical doctor is unable to identify the species of flower found in the time traveler's pockets, yet this does not impact his conviction whatsoever. In fact, as the narrator remarks, "The serious people who took him seriously never felt quite sure of his deportment; they were somehow aware that trusting their reputations for judgment with him was like furnishing a nursery with egg-shell china." The editor dismisses his story as a "gaudy story."Upon returning, the narrator observes the time traveler with a camera, making his way to the laboratory, lured by sounds of clinking and thuds. Inside the lab, a glimpse of the time machine and its owner catches his eye, before

vanishing amid gusts of wind and dust. Though I enjoyed this book, it is hard to fathom the illogical actions of the time traveler, given his reputation as a rational and scientific individual. For instance, during his journey to the future, he encounters a new civilization who guide him to their residence. Instead of bringing his time machine along, he leaves it behind, missing an opportunity for assistance from these people in transporting it. Additionally, it would have been wise for him to equip the machine with wheels, facilitating transportation, as well as a flotation device just in case he encountered water.Also, he should have had Weena stay with the others because I'm sure she was hampering his attempts in combat with the Morlocks. Additionally, instead of causing terrible and useless damage to the environment, he should have laid siege to the pillars that the Morlocks used to exit out of. It would have been better to set heavy objects on top of them and start fires around them at night time. This way, they would die of lack of oxygen or hunger. The hunger would eventually force them out of the holes into the fire or they would resort to cannibalism. By doing this, their numbers would diminish, making them too weak to resist a direct confrontation.This book incorporates various scientific elements, namely climate change, the fourth dimension, chemical reactions, and some of Darwin's theories. However, there are inaccuracies within the story that I would like to address. When the time traveler travels 30 million years into the future from his initial beach location, as described after the encounter with the Morlocks, he would

not find himself on the beach due to continental drifting caused by the rotation of the Earth. The continents move approximately one inch per year, amounting to a total of 30 million inches.If he were in the ocean and sinking quickly, if he were to pull the lever back, the ocean would alter the area he was occupying, leaving him trapped in the ground upon his return, possibly causing an explosion. Additionally, after 30 million years, when the earth became darker, the sun has an estimated 5.5 billion years until it becomes a super nova. At that point, it will expand into a red giant, as described in the book. Although Wells lacked complete information, this book remained both fascinating and enjoyable.