The Invisible Man Historical Context
Setting the scene for The Invisible Man: Understand the time and place that inspired its creation and relevance.
Article written by Emma Baldwin
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.
The novel tells the story of a scientist named Griffin who turns himself invisible and goes insane from the isolation. It isn’t long before he starts using his invisibility to carry out terrible deeds, like murder.
At the heart of the novel, readers are reminded of the dangers of speedy scientific advancement (a theme that’s very common to science fiction novels). It’s an allegory wrapped in an entertaining and shocking storyline that’s kept audiences engaged for over 100 years.
Key Facts about The Invisible Man
- Title: The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance
- Genre: Early science fiction/horror
- Literary Period: Late Victorian Era
- Written: 1897
- Published: 1897
- Setting: England
- Climax: The final fight at the end of the novel
- Antagonist: Griffin (The Invisible Man)
- Point of View: Third person limited narrator
The Invisible Man and H.G. Wells
H.G. Wells began publishing in 1895, only two years before finishing The Invisible Man. It was one of his first novels, preceded by another classic, The Time Machine. The short novels he published throughout his career have often been cited as heralding scientific advancements and dangers in contemporary society. He held a lifelong interest in science fiction and scientific advancement that he transferred to readers around the world. He continues to inspire readers and writers to this day.
Books Related to The Invisible Man
If you loved The Invisible Man, there are several other novels written in a similar style that are worth exploring. One of the most important is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Commonly regarded as the first science fiction novel ever written, sci-fi authors around the world credit Shelley’s novel as being hugely influential in their own work.
Other noteworthy options include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, the Jules Verne classic that takes readers deep under the ocean’s surface to meet Captain Nemo. Filled with equal parts adventure and mystery, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is a must-read for any science fiction aficionado.
HG Wells’ other novels are also quite similar to The Invisible Man. These include The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The War of the Worlds. All of these are quite well-known and helped to establish the author’s reputation as one of the most important science fiction writers of all time.
Lasting Influence of The Invisible Man
While perhaps not as influential as some other science fiction novels, The Invisible Man has become a classic of the genre. It helped establish Wells as the noted father of science fiction and is still as relevant today as it was when it was written.
Readers return to the novella, again and again, seeking out its chilling antagonist and the author’s depictions of his terrible deeds. Beyond that, the novel is a fantastic example of psychological horror.
A quote from the author of 1984, George Orwell, stated that H.G. Wells was, without a doubt, one of the most influential authors writing in the early 1900s. Orwell believed that his mind, and the minds of young people who grew up during the same time period, were heavily influenced by Wells’ novels.
The novel has been turned into films, television shows, comics, audio dramas, and more. Authors have written sequels to Wells’ original story as well.
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About Emma Baldwin
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.