H.G. Wells: Socialism and Science Fiction

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Questions and Answers

What motivated Shaw to become a writer after moving to London?

Desire to gain wealth and fame

A bet he made with friends

Career opportunities in other fields

His mother's influence and learning from experiences (correct)

What was the major theme of Shaw's play 'Mrs. Warren's Profession'?

The complexities of family relationships

The glamour of the theatre world

The importance of moral values in education

The impact of organized prostitution on society (correct)

Which aspect does Shaw focus on in his works regarding the subject of prostitution?

Economic factors as primary causes (correct)

Cultural acceptance of prostitution

Moral decay of society

Psychological effects on families

How did Shaw's 'Unpleasant' plays aim to affect their audience?

By confronting them with social horror to evoke discomfort Signup and view all the answers

What was the status of 'Mrs. Warren's Profession' when it was written?

Censored for years before being performed Signup and view all the answers

What key political organization did he establish in 1884?

Socialist League Signup and view all the answers

Which transformation was NOT mentioned as a feature of the ideal communism in News From Nowhere?

Elimination of marriage Signup and view all the answers

How did Morris’s generation respond to the pessimism of their age?

By embracing art over religion Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of human relationships was transformed in the society described in News From Nowhere?

Traditional marriage contracts Signup and view all the answers

Identify the main character in News From Nowhere.

William Guest Signup and view all the answers

What moral issue did Morris focus on in his works?

Child exploitation Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Mrs. Warren's Profession reflect societal views?

Prostitution was stigmatized and hidden Signup and view all the answers

What narrative technique is utilized in News From Nowhere to create complexity?

Multiple levels of narrative Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation of the anarchist who stole the vial of cholera bacteria?

To demonstrate his power to the world Signup and view all the answers

How does Wells' story reflect the anxieties of late Victorian society?

By combining threats from political, biological, and foreign sources Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the utilization of biological agents to achieve political or ideological objectives?

Bioterrorism Signup and view all the answers

What element of the anarchist's characterization indicates societal anxiety about foreign influence?

His pale complexion and limp hand Signup and view all the answers

What does the story suggest about the potential dangers of scientific discoveries?

They can be used both for and against society Signup and view all the answers

In terms of political ideology, how does the story address the concept of anarchism?

It compares anarchists to modern terrorists Signup and view all the answers

What societal issue does Morris address through the theme of Utopia?

The escalation of class division in society Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the story is true?

It warns of the potential misuse of scientific discoveries Signup and view all the answers

What was H.G. Wells' primary concern regarding social structures?

Abolishing class barriers while allowing free competition Signup and view all the answers

Which document did H.G. Wells draft during WWII that influenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Universal Rights of Man Signup and view all the answers

What was H.G. Wells' opinion about the Fabian Society later in his career?

It was just a platform for middle-class socialists Signup and view all the answers

In which year did H.G. Wells resign from the Fabian Society?

1905 Signup and view all the answers

What theme is explored in H.G. Wells' story 'The Island of Doctor Moreau'?

Eugenics and ethical scientific experimentation Signup and view all the answers

Which social issue did H.G. Wells passionately advocate for?

Payment for mothers Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of modern civilization did Wells consider implicit in political forms?

Scientific and industrial progress Signup and view all the answers

Who did H.G. Wells frequently interact with due to shared socialist beliefs?

George Bernard Shaw Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the 'New Woman' is emphasized in relation to the job market?

Opportunity for employment in various fields Signup and view all the answers

How is Mrs. Warren's attitude toward Vivie's understanding of her job characterized?

She wants to protect her from Victorian standards Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the privileges associated with the profession of prostitution as indicated?

It provides financial independence Signup and view all the answers

How does Wilde's approach in his plays challenge societal norms?

By using humor and satire to criticize hypocrisy Signup and view all the answers

In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', what key idea does the preface assert?

Art is independent from moral judgments Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'commodification of love' suggest?

Marriage and prostitution are economically driven institutions Signup and view all the answers

Which description best fits the roles of men and women as highlighted?

Men are seen as strong protectors, women as submissive Signup and view all the answers

What theme do both 'Warren's Profession' and Wilde's writings primarily engage with?

Critiquing social expectations and hypocrisy Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of modernist literature in its approach to time?

Time reflects the fluctuations of inner life. Signup and view all the answers

How do modernist writers typically portray the structure of narratives compared to traditional novelists?

They often use multiple narrators creating relativism. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'stream of consciousness' refer to in modernist writing?

A technique that presents thoughts without punctuation and coherence. Signup and view all the answers

What does modernist literature suggest about the nature of contemporary experience with respect to temporality?

It suggests experience resists coherent temporal order. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of forms does modernist literature seek to explore according to the content?

Significant time and the operations of the mind. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does modernist literature challenge the concept of realism?

By incorporating abstract narratives and symbols. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological influences characterize modernist literature's approach to subjectivity?

An incorporation of ideas from Freud, Jung, and Nietzsche. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the unreliable narrator have in modernist texts?

It invites the reader to engage with the interpretation of the narrative. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Stolen Bacillus

Wells' early socialism advocated abolishing class barriers while maintaining free competition
His ideal society, depicted in A Modern Utopia, featured a state-controlled economy and gender equality
Wells saw modern science as a precursor to a socialist world order, a theme prevalent in his science fiction
He engaged with humanist values and women's suffrage, authoring Ann Veronica in 1905
Wells' relationship with the Fabian Society was initially positive, but turned critical as he felt their approach lacked real change

World War II and Human Rights

During WWII, Wells drafted a "Universal Rights of Man"
His concern for human rights influenced his work, contributing to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

H.G. Wells's Writings

Wells's work The Theory of the Species tackled eugenics and the concepts of survival of the fittest, influenced by Darwin
The Island of Doctor Moreau explored similar themes, examining the ethics of scientific experimentation and religion
Wells collaborated with playwright George Bernard Shaw, both being socialist Fabians

The Bacteriologist

A bacteriologist demonstrates a cholera bacillus to a mysterious visitor
The visitor steals the bacillus intending to contaminate London water supply
The visitor is an anarchist and concerned with the threat of disease.
The story highlights the anxiety surrounding foreign threats to social order at the fin de siècle

News From Nowhere

William Morris's utopian novel depicts a 21st-century England following a post-industrial revolution
The society in this utopia is organised as an ideal communist dictatorship of the proletariat
Labour is considered a pleasure and child labour abolished
Money and contracts of marriage are abolished, instead favouring flexible bonds of affection

Mrs. Warren's Profession

Bernard Shaw's play examines themes of Commodification of love & morality, highlighting the difficult choices faced by women in Victorian society
The play criticizes societal restrictions placed upon women and their limited opportunities, particularly regarding work
Mrs. Warren's hidden profession (prostitution) challenges Victorian morality and societal expectations

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde's play confronts societal hypocrisy and moral implications of art
"Art for art's sake" is a key theme emphasizing the independence of art from societal judgements
Aestheticism is central in Wilde's writing
The play offers critiques of Victorian societal norms and expectations

Modernism

Modernist literature, influenced by social and intellectual shifts, was a reaction against Victorian traditions
Emphasis on subjective experience, psychological issues and innovative narrative structures
The role of time and the depiction of internal or psychological states were also prominent aspects
Modernist writers explored a diverse range of themes, including sexuality, gender, social issues, and the role of the artist.

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Description

Explore the ideas of H.G. Wells, focusing on his early socialism and its influence on his science fiction writings. This quiz covers his vision of a society with gender equality, his engagement with human rights during WWII, and key works like A Modern Utopia and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Discover how these themes intertwine in Wells's literary contributions.