MY ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR...!: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells / QB for my Students

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

BISHOP HEBER COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI 620 017

I B.A. English Semester II Course: Fiction

Question Bank

Unit III: The Time Machine

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells: Short Answer Questions (for 2 Marks)

1. Who is the protagonist of The Time Machine?

The protagonist is the Time Traveller (he is never named).

2. What object does the Time Traveller show his dinner guests?

The Time Traveller shows them a miniature time machine.

3. When does the Time Traveller arrive in the future?

The Time Traveller arrives in the year 802,701.

4. Where do the Morlocks live?

The Morlocks live underground.

5. Name the Eloi woman whom the Time Traveller befriends.

Weena is the Eloi woman whom the Time Traveller befriends

6. Explain the Time Traveller’s theory about the division of humanity into two species.

The Time Traveller theorises that humanity has split into two species: the Eloi, representing the idle upper class, and the Morlocks, representing the working class who have adapted to living underground. He believes this division is a result of the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

7. Compare and contrast the Eloi and the Morlocks in terms of their physical appearance and lifestyle.

The Eloi are small, childlike, and peaceful, living above ground in a seemingly idyllic setting. The Morlocks are ape-like, nocturnal, and dwell in the darkness below, seemingly preying on the Eloi.

8. In your own words, describe the Palace of Green Porcelain.

The Palace of Green Porcelain is a ruined museum from the Time Traveller’s perspective, containing remnants of a past civilization.

9. What can you infer about the relationship between the Eloi and the Morlocks?

It can be inferred that the Morlocks exploit the Eloi, possibly as a food source, creating a predator-prey relationship.

10. Rephrase the Time Traveller’s initial reaction upon seeing the Eloi.

The Time Traveller is initially charmed by the Eloi’s apparent innocence and simple lifestyle, seeing them as living in a peaceful, if somewhat stagnant, society.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells: Paragraph Questions

1. Analyse the Time Traveller’s description of the Eloi. What language does he use to convey their physical appearance, behaviour, and social structure? What can you infer about his initial impressions and biases based on this description?

2. Examine the Time Traveller’s explanation of time as the fourth dimension. How does he use analogies and scientific reasoning to support his theory? What are the potential limitations or flaws in his argument within the paragraph?

3. Evaluate the Time Traveller’s decision to venture into the Morlocks’ world. Was this a wise decision? What were the potential risks and rewards, and how did this decision impact the narrative’s progression?

4. Criticise or defend the Time Traveller's interactions with Weena. Does he treat her with respect and empathy, or does his behaviour reflect the patriarchal attitudes of his time?

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells: Essay Questions

1. Analyse the Time Traveller’s initial reactions upon arriving in the year 802,701. How do his observations and assumptions about the Eloi reflect his own societal biases and the prevailing scientific and social theories of his time?

2. Compare and contrast the Eloi and the Morlocks. What are their key characteristics, and how does their relationship symbolise the potential consequences of social stratification and unchecked technological advancement?

3. Examine the Time Traveller's theory about the devolution of humanity into two distinct species. What evidence does he present to support his claim, and what are the potential flaws in his reasoning?

4. Dissect the symbolism of the Palace of Green Porcelain. How does this setting represent the lost knowledge and potential dangers of the past?

5. Distinguish between the Time Traveller’s subjective experiences and the objective reality of the future he visits. How does the narrative structure of the novel contribute to the ambiguity and uncertainty of his journey?

6. Evaluate the Time Traveller’s decision to travel to the future. Was his journey motivated by scientific curiosity, a desire for adventure, or a deeper psychological need? Justify your answer with evidence from the text.

7. Assess the effectiveness of Wells’s use of satire to critique Victorian society. How does he use the future world to expose the flaws and hypocrisies of his own time?

8. Criticise or defend the Time Traveller’s actions in the future. Does he act responsibly and ethically in his interactions with the Eloi and the Morlocks?

9. Judge the overall message of The Time Machine. Is it a cautionary tale about the dangers of progress, a commentary on social injustice, or an exploration of the human condition? Support your interpretation with evidence from the novel.

10. Determine the significance of the Time Traveller's final journey. What are the possible interpretations of his disappearance, and how does it contribute to the novel's themes of time, fate, and the unknown?

11. Imagine the Time Traveller had access to modern technology (e.g., smartphones, advanced weaponry). How might this have changed his experiences and interactions in the year 802,701?

12. Suppose the Eloi and the Morlocks could communicate with each other. Construct a dialogue between representatives of each group, exploring their perspectives on their society, the Time Traveller, and the future.

13. Develop an alternative ending to The Time Machine. What if Weena had survived, or the Time Traveller had chosen to remain in the future? How would these changes affect the overall meaning of the story?

14. Design a social experiment to test the Time Traveller’s theory about the devolution of humanity. Describe the methodology, participants, and potential outcomes of your experiment.

15. Propose a solution to the societal problems that led to the divergence of humanity into the Eloi and the Morlocks. Consider factors such as social inequality, technological advancement, and environmental change.

16. Create a piece of artwork (e.g., a painting, sculpture, musical composition) inspired by The Time Machine. Explain how your artwork represents the themes, characters, or setting of the novel.

17. Compose a letter from Weena to the Time Traveller after his disappearance. What would she say about her experiences with him, her hopes for the future, and her understanding of time travel?

18. Formulate a theory about the nature of time travel based on the Time Traveller’s experiences. How does his journey support or challenge existing scientific theories about time and dimensionality?