Review by 黄逸翔

《The Time Machine》is a science fiction novel written by H.G. Wells in 1895. It tells the story of an unnamed Time Traveler who travels to the year 802,701 AD and discovers a society divided into two humanoid species, the Eloi and the Morlocks. The novel begins with the Time Traveler hosting a dinner party to present his latest invention, a time machine. He demonstrates how the machine works by traveling into the future, but when he returns, he recounts his journey to his skeptical guests. The Time Traveler then decides to travel to the year 802,701 AD to explore the future of humanity. Upon arriving in the future, the Time Traveler encounters the Eloi, a peaceful and childlike species that live above ground in a utopian society. However, he quickly realizes that the Eloi are actually the descendants of the elite class, who have become weak and dependent on the Morlocks for their survival. The Morlocks, on the other hand, are the descendants of the working class and have evolved into a brutish and subterranean species that prey on the Eloi. As the Time Traveler explores this future world, he witnesses the stark contrast between the two species and the consequences of social and technological evolution. He also discovers that the human race has split into two distinct species due to the division of labor and the separation of class. 《The Time Machine》explores themes of social class, technology, and the consequences of human progress. Through the eyes of the Time Traveler, Wells paints a stark picture of a future society where the gap between the rich and poor has grown so wide that it has led to the evolution of two separate species. The novel raises questions about the nature of humanity, the dangers of social inequality, and the impact of technological advancement on society. In conclusion, 《The Time Machine》 is a thought-provoking and timeless work of science fiction that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of future societies and the consequences of human actions. H.G. Wells' novel remains a classic in the science fiction genre and continues to inspire readers to reflect on the complexities of the human condition.