Phoenixville Area High School

Summer Reading Log

Title: The War of the Worlds

Author: H.G. Wells

Main Characters: narrator (unnamed)

Setting: England, 1894 (late nineteenth century)

Story Summary:

(1) Problem(s)

The Martians have landed on Earth (England).

Their technology is superior to that of humans (heat ray, etc.)

They murder and destroy. They use fire and force.

(2) Resolution of the problem(s)

Nature provides the answer to the humans' problem with aliens. The Martians supposedly were not immune to the microorganisms and such that are common on Earth. Therefore, the Martian vegetation (red weed) and the Martians themselves become sick and dye, thus preserving humans on Earth. If nature had not taken over, the humans would have surely been exterminated. The humans were able to kill or wound several of the Martians, but only out of sheer luck.

Your reaction to the story:

I thought that the story did a very nice job of guessing what may be out there during the time it was written. However, the speculations seem highly improbable now, considering the fact that technology has advanced dramatically (high-powered telescopes, space ships, etc.).

The story also gave me a glimpse at some different types of people. For example, the narrator was the type who was hardworking and would not give up on preserving humanity. The artilleryman was a different type of person; one who has ambitions and plans but not the ability to fulfill them. The curate was yet another example. The invasion had gotten to him and had made him mad/insane. Ogilvy and Henderson were a pair who tried their best to make peace and communication with the Martians, but unfortunately failed.

This novel also gave me some insight on what animals and creatures who are below humans on the evolutionary scale may feel like. For example, once the Martians had taken control the humans were constantly in hiding or on the run; much like rabbits or any other hunted animal. It also showed this dominance in another view: humans see scattering ants as if they were in disorder while the Martians may have seen humans in action as disorder and confusion.

I thought that Wells did a fairly good job in creating an entertaining sci-fi novel.