Comparison of the time machine and the invisible man by h.g. wells

H. G. Wells is considered to be one of the most successful writers in English language that came up with internationally popular novels like “ The Time Machine” and “ The Invisible Man”. His works made way for a new era in the world of science fictions which inspired many movies, comics and other media productions that used similar themes with different storylines. Wells’ works allowed human imaginations to reach a completely different level as far as scientific theories and fictions are taken into account. His works were not only a great source of amusement but at the same time were food for thought about various aspects of human nature.

It is empirical to keep in mind that as far as science fiction novels are taken under consideration, Wells is one of the very few writers who managed to skillfully present completely new ideas or concepts. His works would overwhelm the readers and would take them to a different level. In “ The Time Machine” and “ The Invisible Man”, the author might have followed a general theme of science fiction, but at the same time, he also focused on two different personalities and their philosophies and values. Careful analysis of different chapters of the books makes it much easier to understand (Johnson).

If we consider these two novels, the first issue that comes into the mind is the genre. Both are science fictions which depicts concepts that are not possible (at least in the present day and age) to come into reality. These are the works of fiction which helps the readers to understand how far human imaginations can actually go and the power of their mind to think of ideas that are very much impossible to come into existence in the current time but does opens new paths of possibility.

In general, one of the basic similarities that worth mentioning about these two novels is that both focuses on two distinct human fantasies that people may find extremely mind boggling but at the same time possible to comprehend. Both are great sources of thrill that is worth mentioning. The storylines of these novels are considered to be timeless as till this day and age they still are read all over the world. New ideas have surfaced from these storylines but by nature are considered to be pure original (Priest).

While the genre of the novels might be the same, the themes are very much different. The first one talk about a machine that allows people to travel to a completely different time of the past, something that allows the traveler to take a glimpse of the events that are now in existence only in books (Wells). On the other hand, “ The Invisible Man” talks about the central character having the ability to make himself completely invisible in front of other people, something that offers same intensity in terms of thrill but focuses on a very different theme (Handcock).

If we consider the personality of both central characters, we can see that Griffin, the central character from “ the Invisible Man” becomes highly frustrated when he finds himself completely unable to come out of the state of invisibility. He commits violence out of frustration. At the same time, his actions also give some hints about the fact that there is an evil side of his mentality. On the other hand, the time traveler is scientist who has devoted his life to science and whenever there is some form of difficulty that he has to face, he deals with it with patience in most of the times and tries to look out for a rational explanation (Wells).

Wells used a first person narrative style in “ The Time Machine” where the narrator is an unnamed guest. It allows the audience to get closer to the writer as it may give an impression to them that the writer might have seen the whole story with his own eyes and now describing it for the readers. This is a form of personal connection which helps the writer to get closer to his readers. “ Face this world. Learn its ways, watch it, be careful of too hasty guesses at its meaning. In the end you will find clues to it all.” (Wells). Here the author gives hint about the hasty present and future and warns the readers about it. However, in “ The Invisible Man”, the writer adopted a third person narrative style. But at the same time, he also skillfully used first person narrations when he described things from the eyes of a speaker. “ I had never realised it before, but the nose is to the mind of a dog what the eye is to the mind of a seeing man. Dogs perceive the scent of a man moving as men perceive his vision.” (Wells)

While this may not create the same kind of feeling which is noticeable in “ The Time Machine” without any doubt, this different writing style is also quite effectively used by Wells to express the story in detail to the audience (Jablonkski). The use of two different approaches by the author shows us his ability to play with different literary styles when it comes to creating the novels (McLean).

If we focus on the theme of “ The Time Machine”, we can see that in this story the author focused on a broader platform. He shows the audience how the entire human race is likely to evolve over a certain period of time. The representation of two different types of human beings after hundreds of thousands of years is very much overwhelming. To make it even more occupying, the author talked about one kind actually feeding on the other for survival. “ Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.” (Wells). Here the author focused on the need of change and transformation in times of desperation which reflects though this novel.

On the other hand, the crisis in “ The Invisible Man” is much more personal. Here Griffin seems to be struggling to get a hold on his emotions after a series of failed attempts to make himself visible again (Taunton). So this leaves a strong sense of agony in his mind. This forces him to act violently. “ I went over the heads of the things a man reckons desirable. No doubt invisibility made it possible to get them, but it made it impossible to enjoy them when they are got.” (Wells). In the novel, Wells did not only focus on the scientific aspects but also shed lights on a philosophical aspect of being invisible.

In conclusion, it can be said that while the genre might be the same for the two novels that were discussed here, it is undeniable that they present two separate flavors. At the same time, they also present two very different kinds of struggles that the audience would find overwhelming. This is a great example of Wells’ skill of being innovative and very much imaginative with his literature.

Works Cited

• Handcock, Tarryn. Revelation and the Unseen in H. G. Wells’s The Invisible Man. 2013. Web. January 16, 2018. Available at: http://artsonline. monash. edu. au/colloquy/files/2013/08/handcock. pdf
• Johnson, Brandon. Analysis of the Time Machine, H. G. Wells. Web. January 16, 2018. Available at: https://freebooksummary. com/analysis-of-the-time-machine-h-g-wells-66902
• McLean, Steven. The Early Fiction of H. G. Wells: Fantasies of Science, 71–72 (New York: Palgrave Macmillan) 2009.
• Jablonkski, Nina. Skin: A Natural History (Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 2006), 164–65.
• Priest, Christopher. Introduction to The Invisible Man, H. G. Wells (London: Penguin Classics, 1897c; 2005), xviii-xxi.
• Taunton, Mathew. Class in The Time Machine. May 15, 2014. Web. January 16, 2018. Available at: https://www. bl. uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/class-in-the-time-machine
• Wells, H. The Time Machine. 1895. Web. January 16, 2018. Available at: http://www. planetpdf. com/planetpdf/pdfs/free_ebooks/The_Time_Machine_NT. pdf
• Wells, H. The Invisible Man. 1897. Web. January 16, 2018. Available at: http://cbseacademic. in/web_material/doc/novels/2_The%20Invisible%20Man,%20by%20H.%20G%20-%20Class%20-%20XII. pdf