Language (The War of the Worlds)

This section explores the language used in the novel The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds (1898) is a classic example of science fiction, blending scientific curiosity with intense human drama. The language used in the novel plays a significant role in evoking emotions, creating a sense of realism, and building tension throughout the narrative. These points should help you understand the linguistic techniques used in the novel, which is crucial for analysing how Wells builds mood, tension, and meaning in his writing.

Formal and Descriptive Language

Wells’ use of formal language gives the novel a scientific and intellectual tone, reflecting his background as a scientific writer and thinker. This style is evident in the narrator’s detailed descriptions of the Martians and their technology.

Example: Wells describes the Martians with technical precision, focusing on their physiology: “They were, I now saw, the most unearthly creatures it is possible to conceive. They were huge round bodies—or rather heads—about four feet in diameter, each body having in front of it a face.”

Effect: This level of detail creates a sense of credibility, as though the narrator is documenting real events. It also adds to the tension, as the calm, methodical tone contrasts with the chaos unfolding around the characters.

Journalistic Style

The narrative often mirrors the style of a news report or eyewitness account, contributing to the feeling that the invasion could really happen. The novel is written as a first-person account, lending authenticity and immediacy to the events.

Example: The narrator refers to news reports and rumours that circulate among the public: “By eight o’clock a number of boys and unemployed men had already started for the common to see the ‘dead men from Mars.’”

Effect: This technique blurs the line between fiction and reality, making the reader feel as though they are witnessing real events. It also helps convey the confusion and fear experienced by the population as they try to make sense of the invasion.

Imagery and Symbolism

Wells makes extensive use of vivid imagery and symbolism, particularly when describing the Martian invaders and the destruction they cause.

Example: Wells compares the Martian heat-ray to natural disasters, likening its effect to a “colossal hammering.” The imagery of the Martians themselves, as enormous, tentacled beings, evokes fear and otherness.

Effect: The strong visual imagery helps readers imagine the alien invaders and their terrifying machines. The symbolism of the Martians as an unstoppable, uncaring force reflects themes of imperialism and the fear of invasion, a significant concern for British society at the time.

Tension and Pacing

Wells skilfully builds tension through his choice of language and narrative pacing. Short, abrupt sentences are used during moments of action and panic, contrasting with longer, descriptive passages that allow the reader to absorb the full horror of the Martian attack.

Example: “A sudden chill came over me. There was a loud shriek from a woman behind. I turned, smitten amazement.”

Effect: The quick succession of short, dramatic sentences mimics the characters’ panic and confusion, pulling the reader into the action. This contrasts with slower-paced sections that dwell on the eerie calm before the next Martian onslaught.

Personification and Anthropomorphism

Wells often gives human-like qualities to non-human entities, including both the Martians and the machines they control. This technique makes the threat seem more intelligent and malevolent.

Example: The tripods are described as moving with purpose and agility: “The monstrous tripod, higher than many houses, striding over the young pine trees, and smashing them aside in its career; a walking engine of glittering metal.”

Effect: This personification adds to the sense of menace, suggesting that the Martians are not merely machines but thinking, scheming creatures. It also increases the dramatic tension as the machines seem almost invincible and uncaring.

Contrasts in Language

Wells contrasts the ordinary, pastoral English countryside with the extraordinary destruction caused by the Martians. The juxtaposition of the familiar and the alien creates a jarring effect, heightening the sense of invasion and loss.

Example: The destruction of Woking, a small, peaceful town, is described in almost surreal terms: “The last shell burst six hundred yards above the ground, just at the end of the High Street. It seemed to me as if the houses had been sucked up into the sky, together with the debris of all that had been on the common.”

Effect: This contrast between normal life and the chaotic events of the invasion highlights the sudden, brutal disruption of everyday life. It reflects Wells’ exploration of themes like civilisation’s fragility and the unpredictability of nature and technological power.

Use of Scientific Terminology

Wells integrates scientific language into the narrative, grounding the extraordinary events in contemporary scientific knowledge. The precision of the language adds to the novel’s realism, especially given Wells’ interest in emerging scientific theories.

Example: The narrator frequently uses terms from biology and physics, such as “radiation,” “evolution,” and “dissection.” When describing the Martians, the narrator refers to them in terms of their anatomy and physical differences from humans.

Effect: The use of scientific terminology not only grounds the novel in the scientific understanding of the time but also makes the alien invasion feel plausible. This was particularly effective for Wells’ contemporary readers, who were experiencing rapid scientific and technological advancements.

Dialogue and Dialect

The novel’s dialogue is minimal but impactful. Characters express their fear, disbelief, and confusion in short exchanges. The use of dialect and informal speech in the dialogue of lower-class characters provides insight into social class distinctions in the novel.

Example: When the artilleryman shares his vision for survival, his speech is somewhat rough and informal: “We’re beat. It don’t matter. We’re done. We’ve got to fix ourselves up according to the new state of affairs. Be a sort of colony – a sort of survival of the human race.”

Effect: The naturalistic dialogue grounds the novel in everyday English society, reflecting the varied reactions of people from different social backgrounds to the Martian threat. This also contrasts with the formal language of the narrator, creating a social commentary on class and human resilience.

In The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells uses a variety of language techniques to create a sense of realism, heighten tension, and explore complex themes like survival, imperialism, and humanity's vulnerability. His descriptive style, vivid imagery, and scientific language all contribute to making this novel a powerful and thought-provoking piece of early science fiction.