Thematic Analysis of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine”

Abstract

H.G. Wells’ book “The Time Machine” talks about how societies can fall apart and the differences between rich and poor, which were big issues during the Victorian era when people were starting to understand evolution. Degeneration means societies getting worse and social inequality is when some people are rich and others are poor. This research looks at how the side stories in the book, like the dinner parties, show people’s reactions to the main character’s adventure into a future where things have gone bad. Each person at the party, like the Mayor, the Young Man, and the Editor, has their own reasons for not wanting to believe in time travel. They’re afraid because it means accepting a future that’s not as good as their own time. By ignoring the evidence of time travel, they’re actually pushing themselves toward the bad future they fear. So, the book is a warning about not being open to new ideas.