H.G. Wells: Final Thesis

H.G. Wells is perhaps the best founding author of the Science Fiction genre, and it was a pleasure reading his works. What follows is my final thesis based on his works, the individual studies of which you can read here.

1. The Star
2. The Country of the Blind
3. The Invisible Man

So for the analysis, go forth and read.

Wells uses the concept of sight and seeing to accentuate the central themes of his stories. Be it exploring enlightenment in terms of learning and knowledge in 'Country of the blind', or confronting acceptance and inclusion in 'Invisible Man', or even comprehending and facing reality in 'The Star'; the author uses human sight as an allegory in his stories.

In the country of the blind, Wells mocks conservative thought and dogmatic belief structures. The people see no import for light - they live in darkness, and have no concept of sight. Concurrently, they are closed to new ideas, and too set in their ways to consider something they cannot touch, feel or experience for themselves. In a way, they turn 'a blind eye' to what Nunez suggests and call him delusional.

In the star, Wells points out that we often see, but we do not comprehend. In the story, when the danger first becomes apparent, the scientists argue over the probability and veracity of the danger, rather than preparing for it. Even when the danger is accepted worldwide, people rush "to record this novel astonishing sight, the destruction of the world." Wells also equates perception with sight, when the Martian explorers see the changes to the Earth from a distance and claim 'a miracle', that the Earth escaped almost unharmed, in direct contrast to the devastation shown from Earth's perspective.

Finally, the most obvious reference to sight is Griffin, the Invisible Man. His invisibility can be seen as a reference to Wells himself. Both Griffin and Wells were teachers, with innovative ideas, who moved to big cities and felt under-appreciated, even invisible.[1] In fact, throughout the story, Griffin's anger over not being understood and accepted seems personified in his invisibility.

The word 'see' is tied to many themes, and Wells plays with all the associated themes in his works to underline the significance of science fiction in enlightening the average reader.