H.G. Wells

• 1866-1946• English writer (from

England)• Writing during the turn

of the century• Best known as a Science

Fiction writer; “Father of Science Fiction”

H.G. Wells

• Grew up in Victorian England• Family was poor• Read a lot as a child while leg was broken• Went to work at 13; draper’s apprentice• Enjoyed reading, writing & sketching• Became a Teacher• Married cousin Isabel• Married former student, Amy

Early Life

• The War of the Worlds

• The Island of Dr. Moreau

• War of the Worlds

• The Invisible Man

Famous Works

• Serial: published in installments• One of the earliest examples of science

fiction genre• Apocalyptic/Dying Earth subgenre• Dystopia: fictional future where people

are repressed & controlled• Novella: shorter than a novel, but longer

than a short story• Didactic: designed or intended to teach

The Time Machine

• “a form of fiction that makes imaginative use of scientific knowledge & speculation”

• Usually set in the future, an alternate present, or a past that didn’t happen

• time travel, alternate societies• Often involves science & technology

Science Fiction

• Unusual characters w/ unusual abilities

• More realistic than fantasy• Lots of subgenres

Science Fiction

Famous Examples

Time Machine Themes• Social Degeneration• Society & Social Classes• Capitalism & the Working Class• Technology & Its Influences• Man’s Relationship with Nature