In Our Time

The Time Machine

Oct 17, 2019

In this discussion, historian Amanda Rees uncovers how H.G. Wells' challenging childhood influenced his imaginative works. Literary scholar Simon James analyzes the dichotomy between the Eloi and Morlocks, reflecting on class struggle and societal evolution. Simon Schaffer provides insights into the broader scientific context of Wells' life and writing. They explore themes of time travel, Darwinian theory, and the moral responsibilities of speculative fiction, all while humorously navigating the complexities of Wells' legacy. An engaging blend of history, literature, and science!

51:55

Creator website

Episode guests

Simon Schaffer

Simon James

Amanda Rees

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

H.G. Wells: Roots of Imagination

9min

The Dichotomy of Humanity: Eloi and Morlocks

2min

Exploring Time Travel in H.G. Wells' Narrative

16min

Evolution and Class Struggle in 'The Time Machine'

5min

Exploring Geometry and the Riddle of Time

2min

The Pinnacle and Pitfalls of Speculative Futures

17min

Exploring H.G. Wells' Technological Obsessions

2min

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas explored in HG Wells' novella, published in 1895, in which the Time Traveller moves forward to 802,701 AD. There he finds humanity has evolved into the Eloi and Morlocks, where the Eloi are small but leisured fruitarians and the Morlocks live below ground, carry out the work and have a different diet. Escaping the Morlocks, he travels millions of years into the future, where the environment no longer supports humanity.

The image above is from a painting by Anton Brzezinski of a scene from The Time Machine, with the Time Traveller meeting the Eloi

With

Simon Schaffer Professor of History of Science at Cambridge University

Amanda Rees Historian of science at the University of York

And

Simon James Professor in the Department of English Studies at Durham University

Producer: Simon Tillotson

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