In this article, we will consider the science fiction novel War of the Worlds. Wells, a cult English author of the late 19th century, wrote the work in 1897. Perhaps this is the first essay that talks about the alien capture of the Earth. For its time, it was an incredibly bold topic, but the author’s courage was worthily rewarded. The content and analysis of the novel will be presented below.
Background
First, let’s figure out where the author came up with the idea of ​​writing such a work, and then consider a brief summary (“War of the Worlds”). Wells closely monitored the development of various sciences, including astronomy. Therefore, the discovery of 1877, which Schiaparelli made, did not leave him indifferent. A scientist, exploring the surface of Mars, discovered a network of channels on the planet. Immediately a theory arose that they were of artificial origin. This hypothesis gained great fame, but was later refuted.
This is what prompted Wells to think about the inhabitants of the neighboring planet. Compared to the Earth, of course, Mars was losing because its atmosphere was discharged, the surface temperature was lower, etc. However, the writer suggested that the Martians achieved unprecedented technical progress and surpassed Earthlings during their existence. Therefore, the assumption that they may decide to take over a neighboring planet, the conditions on which is better, is quite logical. During observations of Mars, astronomers noticed flashes on its surface, which were probably the result of earthquakes. Hence the hunch about creating a giant cannon.
The novel is just a scientific assumption. But Wells was able to predict some of the scientific and technological discoveries. For example, the creation of robots, aircraft, poisonous gases, which will be used for the first time during World War II, etc.
Summary: “War of the Worlds” (Wells). Tie
The novel begins with the invasion of the Martians. A certain cylinder falls to the Earth. It becomes an incredible event, people are trying to establish friendly contact with extraterrestrial guests. But the Martians have other plans. They are going to subjugate the Earth and its inhabitants to themselves. They begin to show aggression, not allowing any resistance. People are trying to resist them. But artillery batteries are destroyed by heat rays.
The government calls on the entire population to urgently leave London. This is the only thing that remains in his power. All production stops, social order collapses, chaos sets in. People flee from the largest cities in the world, since the firepower of the Martians is concentrated precisely on large objects. In abandoned houses, cunning looters are outraged. Society is going crazy, people forget about morality and familiar values.
a priest
Quite a lot from the horror genre in the novel, this is confirmed by the summary. The “War of the Worlds," Wells called this work his best creation, has largely become a model for modern cinema and science fiction. The description of the behavior of people over time has become a classic.
So, the narrative in the work is conducted on behalf of the narrator. It describes the arrival of aliens, the destruction of a welcoming delegation carrying a white flag, and the evacuation of the urban population. In his wanderings he meets two people whom he pays attention to.
The first was a priest, with whom they accidentally find themselves in a ruined house on the edge of the funnel left over from the Martian cylinder. Through a gap in the wall, the heroes observe how the aliens unload and install some kind of mechanisms. The faithful priest gradually begins to go crazy. At some point, he begins to scream and attracts the attention of the invaders. Martian tentacles extend into the house. The hero, wanting to be saved, runs away and does not see how the life of the priest ended.
Gunner theory
Herbert Wells describes the alien capture of the Earth quite realistically. The “War of the Worlds", the brief summary of which is presented here, conveys the horror and hopelessness of a man who has nowhere to seek salvation.
The second on his way, our hero meets a riding artillery battery, which has lost its part. When he found his comrades, it turns out that the Martians finally defeated the human army. However, the gunner has already drawn up his own plan for the salvation of mankind. The solution is quite simple: you just need to hide deep underground, for example, into the sewer, and wait. After listening to his theory, our hero decides that there is some truth in it. They descend into the sewers through an underground passage, specially dug for this. The rain managed to rinse the sewage treatment plant well, and there was plenty of space here. The gunner assured that a little time would pass, and they would be able to regain the Earth. The only thing needed during this time is to master all the secrets of the Martian military technology.
There are still more people than invaders. And among them there are surely those who can find a way to control alien mechanisms.
Unflattering truth
Frankly and without embellishment depicts the human behavior and character of G. Wells ("War of the Worlds"). The summary makes it clear that even at the edge of death, some people cannot act together. It soon becomes clear that the artillery’s plan may not be bad, but he’s not going to implement it. The artilleryman himself is dangerous for those who survived. He turns out to be one of the looters.
The narrator finds this out by chance. Somehow he returns to their shelter, and the artilleryman, not recognizing him, does not allow him to enter foreign territory, since there is only enough food for two eaters. It is also suspicious that for some reason he is digging his undermining in the wrong direction. There is no way to get to the sewer. Yes, and the creator of the rescue plan does not particularly want to work. He spends almost all of his time on food and drink, which other members of their group got.
Return to London
The summary of the novel “War of the Worlds” (Wells) makes one think about what a person can do for the sake of salvation. The shortcomings of the “grand plan” are also quickly discovered. To implement it, you will have to exterminate the weakest. Only a new strong breed of people can defeat aliens. Women in the new way will be needed only for the birth of children. The narrator does not agree to live in such a future. He decides to leave everything and go to London.
Seeing what became of his hometown, the hero was horrified. From the population there are only a few drunkards wandering around the streets. Around everything is littered with the dead. And over all this chaos there is a howl of extraterrestrial monsters. However, the narrator still does not know that in this howl lies the hope for the revival of mankind. He hears the dying cries of the last Martians.
What happened?
Even a very brief summary will help to get an idea of ​​the novel. The War of the Worlds (Herbert Wells) is considered a cult work, which anyone who wants to understand Europe’s mood in the late 20th century should get acquainted with.
But back to the plot. About what happened, the hero tells his brother, who was a witness to all the London events. He begins his story with an outcome. People have turned into real animals. Those who were stronger gathered in gangs and robbed the weakest, selected their vehicles. Some tried to collect unnecessary gold and jewelry. But soon people began to return to London. After that, much more became known about the Martians. The aliens work tirelessly, continuing to exterminate the survivors and collect cars all 24 hours. Martians reproduce by budding, so many human emotions are alien to them. Their main organ is a constantly working, huge brain. It was these physiological characteristics that made Martians strong and ruthless.
The reason for the death of the aliens was bacteria. On their planet, they have long exterminated all harmful viruses, so they did not have any means of fighting the infection.
Conclusion
The summary is coming to an end. The War of the Worlds (Wells showed himself optimistic here) ends with an inspiring note. The writer believes that over time, people will be able to master the Martian technique and use it for good. And the alien invasion was only good. People realized that their strength is in unity. There is no need to fight each other when they can be threatened by an invader from another planet.
Analysis
Early works include the novel War of the Worlds (Wells). A brief summary of the chapters makes it possible to make sure that this book is the first work in the world that speaks of an alien threat. The novel made an incredibly strong impression on the public. The work also saw criticism of colonial imperial England.
In his book, Wells raises a very important question about what the development of technology and mind can lead to without spiritual evolution.