Many people in his time worried that man was overstepping his authority and entering the domain of divinity.
Even so, his actions are not purely objective quite the contrary, they result from his overpowering desire to cause scientific "progress." This dangerous motivation is more familiar to readers than a simple impetus to cause harm.ĭespite his socialism, which relied on a hope in social progress through the use of reason, Wells was tapping into a common concern about the amoral march of "progress," namely the risk that it can corrupt and overwhelm the natural sensibilities of men with its promises of shiny, efficient perfection. This scientific objectivity is understandable, if humanly inexcusable.
Driven by scientific curiosity, Moreau lacks compassion. While Moreau's actions are abominable, Wells did not create a one-dimensional antagonist. Moreau's experiments, the Beast Men are not uniform in their degrees of bestiality versus humanity besides, some animals are by nature closer to men than others are. Perhaps as a result of the variation in Dr. Separated from other men for so long, he has become much closer to the Beast Men, and he does not make as clear a distinction between them and himself as does Prendick. Montgomery provides an alternative perspective, and he introduces a degree of relativity to the issue. That is, they are cognizant and desirous of an ideal they are unable to reach, and this shortcoming makes them unhappy.
Of particular note is that what Prendick seems to find most human in the Beast Men is their constant awareness of their inadequacy. Darwin's theory challenged this metaphysical barrier by suggesting that humans were merely exceptionally well evolved animals, and Wells appears to be trying to assert human exceptionalism. Thus he emphasizes the qualities of humanity that exist outside of a physical body. Through Prendick, he implies that no matter how Moreau or anyone else puts them together, animals are by nature animals, not men. Throughout the novel, Wells refers to the Beast Men as "travesties" and "mockeries" of humanity. Buy Study Guide Distinction between Men and Animals
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