The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
The book, published in 1895, has inspired many works of fiction and media. Two films featured the same title name, as well as two television shows, based off the book. Comic books were also made after the publication of the book, making it popular. What also made it popular was the story-line itself. It demonstrates the idea that a person can use a machine purposefully to travel into time, in the story's case, the future. Publishing this book then sparked the usage of the term "time machine" to convey this concept of a person traveling through time. The thought of travel through time was also a popular topic during the late nineteenth century and still is somewhat today. The reason why this book is a classic is because of its fairly old age, its interesting content, and its significance in history and today.
This book displayed a new concept of time travel, as earlier throughout history, many have considered the idea of time travel - however, not using a machine of some sort. Earlier ideas of time travel had not considered controlling a machine for one's purposes and doing it selectively. The author brings out a new and quite interesting idea of time travel, also fantasizing the future in a way that draws the attention of the reader into the story. The plot of the story builds up to the end of the book in a different way that many during the time had not thought of. The idea of this machine was thrown about in the beginning of the book, but did not quite convince the idea until near the very end when the Time Traveler brought proof of the travel through time, and one of the characters in the story experienced it for themselves. The characters are also different and very peculiar, which draws interest to the reader because it is foretelling the future in a different perspective and describes them with vivid detail.
Why is this book a classic?
The book, published in 1895, has inspired many works of fiction and media. Two films featured the same title name, as well as two television shows, based off the book. Comic books were also made after the publication of the book, making it popular. What also made it popular was the story-line itself. It demonstrates the idea that a person can use a machine purposefully to travel into time, in the story's case, the future. Publishing this book then sparked the usage of the term "time machine" to convey this concept of a person traveling through time. The thought of travel through time was also a popular topic during the late nineteenth century and still is somewhat today. The reason why this book is a classic is because of its fairly old age, its interesting content, and its significance in history and today.
What is in this book that is new?
This book displayed a new concept of time travel, as earlier throughout history, many have considered the idea of time travel - however, not using a machine of some sort. Earlier ideas of time travel had not considered controlling a machine for one's purposes and doing it selectively. The author brings out a new and quite interesting idea of time travel, also fantasizing the future in a way that draws the attention of the reader into the story. The plot of the story builds up to the end of the book in a different way that many during the time had not thought of. The idea of this machine was thrown about in the beginning of the book, but did not quite convince the idea until near the very end when the Time Traveler brought proof of the travel through time, and one of the characters in the story experienced it for themselves. The characters are also different and very peculiar, which draws interest to the reader because it is foretelling the future in a different perspective and describes them with vivid detail.
How did the world/America respond?
The book inspired many to think about the concept of time travel in a new light, bringing about new ideas and adaptions to this publication of this wonderful science-fiction novel. It was a science fiction bestseller of its time, a lot of people reading the story and enjoying it, sharing it with others. The book was most definitely one of the "books of its time" as people were interested with the idea of time travel at the time. The review of the book caused more people to read it, as it was a short and easy read and very mysterious and attention-drawing. Many people used the book as a tool to bring about new ideas from this time travel, and others used it to continue the story and make the story better by creating a comic series based off the book, and a television series and movie. It held the world in awe by such a wondrous story that still inspires many today.
How does the classic capture the time period?
The Time Machine captured the image of what society was turning into. It conveyed the idea that many thousands of years from then would change the society hugely forever - splitting society into two distinct opposites, like different species, making it almost impossible for one to associate with the other without getting harmed or killed. The author was trying to convey this hidden message under the amazing plot of the book in which a Time Traveler journeys through a time machine.
What is the author implicitly trying to say?
The author, H.G. Wells' motivation behind the book was to show people how new technologies and society growing as a whole can make everyone on completely opposite ends on certain views of the world and the way they are living in it. Taking technology to a whole different level can either transform a person for good or lead that person to destruction. The reason why this novel relates to society and people today is the fact that society, technology, and people change constantly, making the hidden message of the book relate to people today and encourage people to be cautious of society.
