The War of the Worlds: The True Story of His World

A revolutionary of his time, H.G. Wells influenced centuries to come with his science-fiction literature. Wells was born September 21st, 1866, in Bromley, England, during the third stage of The Victorian Era. It was a period of self-doubt and a lack of nationalism for the British, but also a time of discovery and advancement in the scientific world (Masterworks).The early twentieth century was a critical time in London’s history for political and scientific development. Many spirited debates were ignited during this time that altered the natural order of things. An innovator of his time, H.G. Wells was influenced by his socialist political views, the London of his prime, and the controversy between creationism and evolution, as evident in his science fiction novel The War of the Worlds.

In the 19th century, Britain was a great European Power and London was transformed into the wealthy center of the Empire (“Martians and Marxism..”). Britain and its leaders saw their overall power as evidence of their “superiority” to the colonies they ruled. Wells criticizes their lavish spending and overindulgence in material goods (“Martians and Marxism..”). While the elite were celebrating and living in luxury, the poor in London were living in the slums and dying of starvation. Wells’ impoverished background served as the basis for his adoption of socialist ideals later in life. Wells believed that class barriers should be removed, creating an equal opportunity for people of any social standing to pursue their interests and a distinguished career (H.G. Wells). Once a member of the radical Fabian Society, where he sought to change the social structure, Wells conceptualized a world where one should work for status and dispose of inherited prest...

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