A Study Of The Mythological Thinking In Wells’ Science Fictions

Herbert George Wells is a British novelist, world-renowned for his science fiction. Of all his ideas about science fiction writing, his mythological thinking is particularly noteworthy. The thesis studies how Wells uses the mythological thinking to write about the relationships between man and nature, between man and gods and between science and myths. The thesis deals with the most of Wells’ science fiction, such as The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, When the Sleeper Wakes, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, The Food of the Gods and The World Set Free.The thesis commences with The Introduction which discusses the researches done by foreign and Chinese scholars on Wells and his literary works, especially those on Wells’ science fiction in the perspective of mythology, providing the background for further discussion. Then with the discussion of the features of the mythological thinking, the thesis proceeds to elaborate on how Wells on the basis of the integration of the object and the subject, questions the authority and power of science and criticizes the unconscious arrogance of human beings. In Conclusion, the thesis discusses the meanings of Wells’ mythological narrative in his science fiction. Although Wells embraces the scientific development and acknowledges the benefits gained from science, he takes a skeptical view on the omniscience of science and believes in the simplicity of life by early human beings. The thesis argues that Wells attempts to uncover the essence of the seemingly perfect science through a mythological way. Furthermore, Wells tries to remind readers of the respect shown to gods, which, if not seriously addressed, will endanger human being’s true existence.