This week I have been rereading the classic science-fiction novel, “The War of the Worlds”, by H.G. Wells. It was published in 1897. In addition to containing fascinating ideas, the writing is at times beautifully creepy. Here are some quotes from the opening to the novel.
1
“No
one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this
world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than
man’s.”
We
can be very confident that no aliens are watching us from Mars. But are there aliens watching us from farther
away?
2
“as
men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and
studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise
the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With
infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little
affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter. It is possible
that the creatures under the microscope do the same.”
I
hope not. I don’t want to have to feel
guilty about killing billions of microscopic creatures whenever I wash my hands
with soap.
3
“No
one gave a thought to the older worlds of space as sources of human danger…
[Across] the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of
[the beasts], intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth
with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.”
Beautifully
creepy indeed.
Vocabulary:
to
scrutinise something – to examine or inspect something closely and thoroughly
[eg.,
I thought that the money might be fake, so I took time to scrutinise it.]
to
be transient – lasting only for a short time; not permanent
[eg.,
The effects of the drug are transient, so you need to keep taking it.]
complacency
– a feeling of satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements, which is not
justified or appropriate
[eg.,
That football team lost their last match due to complacency. If they had prepared properly, they would
have won.]
to
be serene – calm, peaceful and untroubled
[eg., Lying on the quiet beach, I felt serene.]