The War Of The Worlds Prose Essay Example
The War Of The Worlds Prose Essay Example

The War Of The Worlds Prose Essay Example

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The War Of The Worlds depicts the invasion of London by Martians, who attempt to annihilate mankind. However, their efforts are ultimately hindered when they succumb to the smallest organisms on earth, bacteria.

In 1898, the novel was published during a period when the British Empire thrived and posed a threat. The empire expanded its dominion by conquering various regions including India and parts of Africa, engaging in colonization efforts. This era witnessed the British Empire reaching its maximum capacity, as people often described. Simultaneously, religion underwent scrutiny by Charles Darwin, a renowned scientist who proposed the concept of human evolution from ape-like animals and cell replication. Science questioned aspects that religion could not provide explanations for.

Religion became increasingly questioned during that time as people perceived science as the source o

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f answers while religion lagged behind. In The War Of The Worlds, the character known as the Curate symbolizes religion. When the Martians invade London, the Curate experiences panic, forgetfulness, and doubt regarding his faith. At this moment, the narrator raises the question, "What good is religion if it crumbles in times of disaster?" In other words, the narrator implies that there is no purpose for the Curate to adhere to his belief system if he fails to stand firm in challenging circumstances.

Later in the novel, the Curate completely loses his sanity and becomes devoid of any faith. He exclaims, "Hope! Yes; abundant hope for - all this devastation!" This statement clearly demonstrates his lack of belief in anything, even though he is supposed to embody his religious beliefs. Additionally, the Curate condemns the aforementioned quote. He ought to have hope in God and possess unwaverin

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faith in his religion, maintaining a positive outlook on the situation. However, he is already thinking pessimistically. Charles Darwin asserted that humanity would continue to undergo evolutionary changes.

He described the theory of evolution, which is widely accepted today. Darwin proposed that species adapt over time based on necessity and that humans are descended from bacteria. Species will continue to evolve as needed. This theory greatly fascinated Wells. He theorized that humans would eventually reach a point in evolution where they would have large heads and hands. This belief stemmed from the fact that humans predominantly use their hands and brains in their work.

Wells authored a book titled The Man Of The Year Million in addition to The War Of The Worlds. The book explores the concept of mankind transforming and progressing. Within the book, Wells envisions a final stage of human evolution, stating "Watch them hop on their hands about the pure white marble floor. Great hands they have, enormous brains, soft, liquid, soulful eyes." This quote exemplifies the culmination of human evolution.

In both novels, the author discusses the possibility of humans undergoing sudden and drastic transformations. In The War Of The Worlds, the protagonist states that humanity could evolve in such a way that we become similar to the Martians, who possess enlarged heads and hands, and demonstrate ruthlessness towards London during their attempt to eradicate mankind. This novel serves as an illustration of an invasion narrative, as Wells vividly portrays the devastating consequences experienced in London and provides insights into the fate of its inhabitants.

The Martians possess a heat ray and they incinerate London and its neighboring areas. Wells portrays this event as

if it was inevitable for humanity in London. This is because the British Empire began colonizing other nations, and ultimately, the Martians are doing something similar. However, the Martians are attempting to conquer London and exterminate its inhabitants. In The War of the Worlds, Wells states that "Before we criticize the Martians too severely, we must recall the merciless and complete destruction our own kind has inflicted upon animals."

In this passage, Wells is questioning why we should judge the Martians when we have caused the extinction of animals ourselves, such as the Bison and Dodo. He involves the reader by asking rhetorical questions like "The planet Mars, I scarcely need remind the reader." By doing so, Wells seeks to engage the reader's participation, assuming they already possess knowledge about Mars and understand his references. The novel is written in the first person, a technique that effectively brings realism and horror to the story.

The protagonist identifies as a "speculative philosopher" while H. G Wells is renowned for his work in science fiction. Wells acknowledges his expertise as a speculative philosopher by stating "my particular province is speculative philosopher." Despite not being a scientist, Wells demonstrates his deep fascination with science in the novel, which is seen as a reflection of himself.

Wells encourages reader participation in envisioning the planet Mars. He points out that many people who have never seen these structures may not fully grasp their living quality, relying on artists' depictions and imperfect descriptions from eyewitnesses like himself.

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