The Time Machine
By: H.G. Wells
English novelist, historian and science writer Herbert George Wells (1866–1946) abandoned teaching and launched his literary career with a series of highly successful science-fiction novels. The Time Machine was the first of a number of these imaginative literary inventions. First published in 1895, the novel follows the adventures of a hypothetical Time Traveller who journeys into the future to find that humanity has evolved into two races: the peaceful Eloi — vegetarians who tire easily — and the carnivorous, predatory Morlocks.
After narrowly escaping from the Morlocks, the Time Traveller undertakes another journey even further into the future where he finds the earth growing bitterly cold as the heat and energy of the sun wane. Horrified, he returns to the present, but soon departs again on his final journey.
While the novel is underpinned with both Darwinian and Marxist theory and offers fascinating food for thought about the world of the future, it also succeeds as an exciting blend of adventure and pseudo-scientific romance. Sure to delight lovers of the fantastic and bizarre, The Time Machine is a book that belongs on the shelf of every science-fiction fan.
By: H.G. Wells
English novelist, historian and science writer Herbert George Wells (1866–1946) abandoned teaching and launched his literary career with a series of highly successful science-fiction novels. The Time Machine was the first of a number of these imaginative literary inventions. First published in 1895, the novel follows the adventures of a hypothetical Time Traveller who journeys into the future to find that humanity has evolved into two races: the peaceful Eloi — vegetarians who tire easily — and the carnivorous, predatory Morlocks.
After narrowly escaping from the Morlocks, the Time Traveller undertakes another journey even further into the future where he finds the earth growing bitterly cold as the heat and energy of the sun wane. Horrified, he returns to the present, but soon departs again on his final journey.
While the novel is underpinned with both Darwinian and Marxist theory and offers fascinating food for thought about the world of the future, it also succeeds as an exciting blend of adventure and pseudo-scientific romance. Sure to delight lovers of the fantastic and bizarre, The Time Machine is a book that belongs on the shelf of every science-fiction fan.
1. INTERVIEW AN OLDER PERSON
Interview an older person such as a grandparent. Ask them questions such as: What has changed in the world since you were my age? Which changes cause you the most concern? What fears do you have for the future? Bring the data to class and work in small groups to identify common fears about the present and future. |
2. FLASHBACK
Describe how the time of the story has changed, namely that the narrative begins to describe events that took place at an earlier time. Point out that although we are used to seeing this technique in movies and television, it is a relatively modern strategy. Higher level thinking: How does the flashback help the story? What effect would it have on readers if the story were told in chronological order instead? |
3. COLLAGE TO REPRESENT THEMES
Design a collage visually representing themes in The Time Machine. Use images from magazines, newspapers, the Internet, a computer program, or you may draw them yourself or use three dimensional objects. Include two to three quotations from the book and give your collage a title. |