Comparing Time Machine And The Toynbee Convector

The Future of the Human Race: A Comparison of The Time Machine and “The Toynbee Convector” No one knows for certain what the future will hold, but history shows that societies often evolve and become more advanced for the better. However, while some progress, others regress back to a primitive state. The british historian, Arnold Toynbee, often talked about civilizations dying by their own hands. Toynbee’s observations of societies committing suicide are evident in both H.G. Wells' scientific romance novel, The Time Machine, and Ray Bradbury’s short story, “The Toynbee Convector”. Firstly, the novel’s underground working class rises against the capitalists. Secondly, The human race has made no advancements, but instead has reverted back to

Although he was putting it off due to fear, The Time Traveler decides it's time to investigate and learn more about how the Morlocks live. The protagonist descends down a well underground, where he smells fresh blood in the air. After coming to the realization that the Morlocks are carnivorous, The Time Traveller becomes aware of how ill prepared he is: “When I had started the Time Machine, I had started with the absurd assumption that the men of the Future would certainly be infinitely ahead of ourselves in all their appliances…. But, as it was, I stood there with only the weapons and the powers that Nature had endowed me with--hands, feet, and teeth; these, and four safety-matches that still remained to me” (84-85). The Time Traveller is thousands of years into the future, yet he is left to use the things utilized by cavemen. The scientist believed that the future would have technology beyond one’s imagination, but instead he is resorted back to using matches as a weapon to fend of the Morlocks. The fact that The Time Traveller has to use such ancient weapons millions of years in the future, showcases the lack of progression the human race has made. A Society moving back instead of forward, leads to it’s own self