The Time Machine, H. G. Wells - Patrick Parrinder (essay date 1995)
Patrick Parrinder (essay date 1995)
SOURCE: Parrinder, Patrick. “Possibilities of Space and Time (The Time Machine).” In Shadows of the Future: H. G. Wells, Science Fiction and Prophecy, pp. 34-48. Liverpool, United Kingdom: Liverpool University Press, 1995.
[In the following essay, Parrinder explores the significance of time travel in Wells's fiction, particularly The Time Machine.]
I
Towards the end of The Time Machine, the Traveller finishes the story of his adventures, pauses, and looks around at his listeners. He is like a lecturer waiting for the first question after his talk, and like many nervous lecturers he tries to start the ball rolling by interrogating the audience himself. ‘“No. I cannot expect you to believe it”’, he begins. ‘“Take it as a lie—or a prophecy. Say I dreamed it in the workshop. … Treat my assertion of its truth as a mere stroke of art to enhance its interest. And...
[The entire page is 6511 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Related Topics
