The Eloi in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine
The Eloi are one of two races of people the Time Traveler encounters on his arrival to to the future. They are “a group of figures clad in rich soft robes” (Wells 20). They are graceful with a gentle and frail beauty who surround the Traveler and his machine in their first encounter. Their non-threatening nature which lacks aggression inspires a confidence in the Traveler as he faces the new people without fear. The Traveler gives the reader some perspective into his view of Eloi people. While the Traveler is revealed that they are a gentle people, their nature is almost stunted to the point of being extremely feeble. His placement of The Eloi in this way influences him to remove the levers from his time machine and place them in his pocket. He is not so much worried that their curiosity will drive them to interfere with his machine, as he is almost confused by their lack of initiative and curiosity --- the people appear to be extremely droll, even, without fascination about the world or a want to explore. At one point he likens his tries to speak with them over various issues as communicating with small children.
Appearance
The Time Traveler first took note of the Eloi’s feminine auras when they greeted him upon his arrival. He points out their soft purple robes (worn by both male and female alike), graceful and gentle natures, and beautiful curls upon their angelic heads (Wells, 21). Enthusiasm for fashion, gentility, and beauty are widely accepted within society as desirable attributes for women. Thus, a connection may be drawn between the natures of the Eloi and femininity. Furthermore, the Time Traveler recognizes the lack of knowledge within the little people, for he states that they hold no fear of strangers and “made no effort to communicate” (Wells, 21). Unfortunately, women are historically classified as unintelligent and helpless compared to men. Similarly, the Eloi exhibit no compelling ability to broaden their intelligence and defend themselves, which further supports the idea that the Eloi are intended to be recognized as a highly feminized people
Origins and Lifestyle
The Eloi are one of two races of people who evolved from earlier humanity. In earlier society, they occupied the civilized aristocratic elite. The [pride and quiet peacefulness one expected from nobility continues in the still yet peaceful social order that The Eloi continue to maintain in their inhabited arcadia of the future. The Traveler''s reflections about the Eloi's seeming lack of ambivalence or creative aspiration in life gives us an insight into their values and needs. The Eloi simply are not challenged by life and thus have no need to conquer or dominate it; everything is handed to them on a silver spoon. They live in a world that emphasizes exterior beauty and decorum in behavior as well as regiment in diet. Their social structure lacks problems of dissension or subversives, and is egalitarian. Each is undeniably physically attractive but almost like a nymph or a sprite, eating only a diet of vegetarianism – specifically fruit. They have social behaviors which each are expected to conform to in order to maintain this social order, but the lack of struggle and internal conflict gives no reason to bend the system. Or rather, the Traveler seems puzzled that the people are able to maintain continuity without problems in this way for so long. He finds them stunted in some way for this.
Source: Trecegato. The Eloi from the Time Machine. 2014. Deviantart. Web. June 7 2016.
Works Cited
Trecegato. The Eloi from the Time Machine. 2014. Deviantart. Web. June 7 2016.
Wells, Herbert George. The time machine. Penguin, 2002.
Bibliography
Alderman, L. (Creator). (2012). Becoming American [Transcript, Television broadcast]. In Unnatural Causes. HBO.
