Hg Wells Darwinism

Humans are ever evolving. From the first civilizations to modern times, much has changed. Very few things from the beginning of man’s reign on Earth have stood the test of time. Technology has advanced, groups of people have been conquered, country borders have shifted, and lifestyles have adapted to suit new conditions. Despite this, literature has remained as an art that has endured since the very beginning. Connections can be made to many works of literature regardless of time. One such timeless work is The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. In his iconic science fiction novel, Wells combines his fascination with Darwinism and his beliefs about the dangers of technological advancement to warn of humanity becoming a stagnant, unfeeling race

Wells teaches the reader many valuable lessons.. He highlights the worst parts of human nature, and alludes to some of the most brutal conquest the world has ever seen. He issues a powerful warning of the fate that may claim the human species as a result of technological advancement. Wells is mostly correct in his ideals. The means by which Europeans conquered weaker groups were corrupt and inhumane. However, it could be argued that European colonization laid the foundation for many positive events, such as the founding of the United States. As for technology, much of what Wells wrote about has manifested itself in various ways. Just two decades after the publication of The War of the Worlds, World War I began. Mustard gas, a chemical agent used during World War I, bears a striking resemblance to the Black Smoke used by the Martians. Both World Wars brought about the invention of more destructive weapons. Today, technology has become essential to society. Through computers and smartphones, people communicate, make purchases, do business, and navigate using technology. In a way, humans have become reliant on such technology. It has become obvious that what Wells wrote over a century ago endures. In the end, Wells’ overarching theme is human nature. Time and time again, he provides examples of the worst parts of human nature, in order to warn the reader of what the future could look like. The human race should not sacrifice morality for the sake of advancement, or it will become stale and heartless through evolution. Ultimately, Wells proves that in a world where everything exists in a constant state of change, mankind must hold fast to what makes it