Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
The Time Machine is H.G. Wells' warning of what will befall mankind if capitalism continues to exploit workers for the benefits of the rich. As the Time Traveler theorizes, the working class has been pushed underground for so long that it has evolved into a distinct, nocturnal species. The upper class has remained above ground, and their advanced civilization, stocked with amenities, has turned them into weak, lazy, and dependent creatures. But at some point the underground group—the Morlocks—run out of food and are forced to hunt down the Eloi, which it now breeds like cattle.
Tags
Is The Time Machine appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A Victorian-era scientist travels to the far future and discovers humanity has split into two species: the childlike Eloi above ground and the predatory Morlocks below, who hunt the Eloi for food. Contains moderate violence and disturbing themes of cannibalism and class exploitation, but presented in classic literary style without graphic detail.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death, class struggle, and cannibalism (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens interested in classic science fiction will find a thought-provoking adventure about a time traveler discovering a dark future version of humanity.