Question

Read the following passage from "The War of the Worlds," by H.G. Wells.: "The planet Mars, I scarcely need remind the reader, revolves about the sun at a mean distance of 140,000,000 miles, and the light and heat it receives from the sun is barely half of that received by this world. It must be, if the nebular hypothesis has any truth, older than our world; and long before this earth ceased to be molten, life upon its surface must have begun its course. The fact that it is scarcely one seventh of the volume of the earth must have accelerated its cooling to the temperature at which life could begin. It has air and water and all that is necessary for the support of animated existence. "Yet so vain is man, and so blinded by his vanity, that no writer, up to the very end of the nineteenth century, expressed any idea that intelligent life might have developed there far, or indeed at all, beyond its earthly level. Nor was it generally understood that since Mars is older than our earth, with scarcely a quarter of the superficial area and remoter from the sun, it necessarily follows that it is not only more distant from time's beginning but nearer its end." In general, readers today have a better understanding of science than readers in 1898. How would the tone of the passage's narrator have affected readers in 1898 versus readers today?​

Answer 1

The tone of the passage from H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" would have had different effects on readers in 1898 compared to readers today, primarily due to the differences in scientific knowledge and societal attitudes toward science.

Readers in 1898:

In 1898, scientific understanding of the universe was less advanced than it is today. Many aspects of astronomy and planetary science were still in their infancy, and there were significant gaps in knowledge.

The tone of the passage, which reflects a somewhat authoritative and speculative stance on Martian life and the evolution of planets, would likely have been seen as quite insightful and forward-thinking for its time.

The notion of life on other planets was a topic of interest and speculation in the late 19th century, and Wells' narrative would have contributed to the sense of wonder and imagination prevalent in science fiction literature of that era.

The reference to the "nebular hypothesis" and the idea of Mars being older and possibly having intelligent life would have sparked curiosity and fascination among readers.

Readers today:

Contemporary readers have access to a much more advanced understanding of astronomy, planetary science, and astrophysics. They are aware of the limitations of the knowledge available in 1898 and the subsequent discoveries in these fields.

The tone of the passage, while still reflecting the scientific understanding of its time, may come across as somewhat dated or even quaint to modern readers who are familiar with more accurate and detailed information about Mars and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Today's readers are more likely to approach the passage with a historical perspective, recognizing that it reflects the state of knowledge at the end of the 19th century and the early beginnings of the space age.

The passage's reference to Mars having "air and water" would be viewed critically today since we know that Mars' atmosphere is thin and its surface is extremely dry.

In summary, the tone of the passage from "The War of the Worlds" would have evoked a sense of wonder and curiosity among readers in 1898, as it ventured into speculative territory with limited scientific knowledge. For readers today, the tone may be seen as historically interesting but would not align with our current scientific understanding of Mars and planetary science.

Step-by-step explanation: