Primary Resource Analysis: The War of the Worlds

Table of contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Author's intent1

Historical content2

Darwinism2

Victorian Era's Prosperity3

Content source4

Relevance of the source5

Conclusion6

References7

Primary Resource Analysis: The War of the Worlds

Introduction

English literature is brimming with compositions by impeccable authors, who were not only able to weave an engaging plot, but were also able to incorporate the economical and social inclinations of the society during their era. Thus, the fictitious roles and settings were their means to express their opinions about the society in which the novels were being written. This essay intends to choose one such novel to present a comprehensive account of events during the late 19th century; H.G. Well's The War of the Worlds (1898) has been chosen to serve the purpose. Based in South-west London, the author in the novel successfully instilled his thoughts and ideas about the developments in science, which brought a multi-dimensional change in life on planet Earth.

Discussion

Author's intent

Herbert George Wells, born on September 21, 1866 in England, was a teacher by profession. He reached the heights of popularity after his first science fiction novel, The Time Machine. During his life, he had written more than 100 books, out of which over 50 were fiction novels. His close association with Jules Vernre, led him to create science fiction as a genre as we see it in English literature today. Other than believing in the ability of science to achieve miracles, Wells also advocated Darwinism, which was driven by his close association with his teacher and strong advocate of Darwinism, T.H. Huxley (Langford, 2005).

Wells intelligently incorporated the advancements in science during the late 19th century in the imaginary settings of his novel The War of the Worlds. 1895-1900s are known for the miraculous development and invention in science, like radio, x-rays, motion pictures, loudspeakers, electricity, and fluorescent lights (Davis, 1998). Scientific discoveries like these drove Wells imagination for this novel; consequently, he employed the possible inventions of nuclear bombs, and chemical weapons in his novel's plot. Moreover, discovery of Mars, and the possibility of life on that planet gained widespread popularity during that time; hence, Wells intelligently employed this concept and wove the story with the real-world setting highlighting England's expansion on colonial basis. Thus, he introduced original settings into an imaginary one, so that the reader could easily identify with it.

Historical content

Darwinism

The Theory of Darwinism was the topic of discussion for various religious societies during the early 19th century ; however, Wells being an atheist, did not only advocate the theory, but also projected an image of Jesus as somebody who makes false promises to alleviate the pains of other, when in actuality he has no powers. The concept of Darwinism was exhibited in the said novel by projecting the idea of humans developing machinery in place of hands and legs driven by extensive development of mind and body; it is depicted by the narrator's quotes in the novel: “… to me it is quite incredible that Martians may be descended from beings not like ourselves, ...