Comparing HG Wells' The Time Machine and Mark Twain's Connecticut Yankee

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Comparing HG Wells' The Time Machine and Mark Twain's Connecticut Yankee

Connecticut Yankee was written in 1889 by Mark Twain. A man is taken from 19th century America and taken to 6th century England. Using his wits He is quickly able to put himself in a position of rank in the court of Camelot. He then introduces many modern inventions and ideas to the society in an attempt to bring it to what was considered the “right” way in the 19th Century. This shows how much influence a single man can have in the society around him. There is also a conflict of ideas in this book that leads to his eventual downfall and return to the 19th century. Throughout literature and history there have been many instances where a single man and his idea and beliefs have changed the course of events and shaped a society around his individual beliefs. These men have shaped history and the worlds that they live in. Connecticut Yankee is a prime example of such a man in a world, where his ideas cause a dramatic change.

Hank Morgan was pulled from his world and taken to one that is a total opposite of his. Seeing that he cannot return to his world he then tries to transform Camelot to the world he remembers, 19th century America. Morgan enters a world of slavery, poverty, and control of the masses by a few select people. This world is completely different than what he is accustomed to and what he believes. He is in a world of superstition and lies. He uses his knowledge of a solar eclipse and plays it like if he where making the sun disappear. This gets him the position of Head wizard and second only in command to the king himself and it saves him from burning at the stake.

The Camelot that Twain places Hank Morgan is a complete opposite to the world he comes from. He views them as a pack of uneducated fools and savages. This situation is much like that of the Time Traveler in H.G. Wells the Time Machine. Instead of going back in time he goes forward in time where the Eloi and the Morlocks, different races of people, are thrown back to primitive conditions. He talks to Eloi and sees them as little children who the Morlocks exploit for food and labor.

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