Opportunity in H.G. Wells' Narrative

H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine' presents a multifaceted exploration of time travel, framed within the context of societal evolution. The narrative mirrors Robert Louis Stevenson’s 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' through its focus on duality; while Stevenson explores the internal conflict of a single man, Wells extends this idea to the entire human race. The protagonist, referred to simply as the Time Traveller, embarks on a journey not just across space but through time, underscoring the implications of progress and regression across the species. This juxtaposition intensifies as the story reveals both the promise and peril inherent in human advancement, suggesting that the pursuit of progress could ultimately lead to profound alienation.