Quotes (The War of the Worlds)

This section contains key quotes from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.

"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 and yet as mortal as his own."

This opening line sets the tone of the novel, highlighting the unsuspecting nature of humanity and the impending threat posed by the Martians.

"It was the beginning of the rout of civilisation, of the massacre of mankind."

This quote emphasises the devastating impact of the Martian invasion on human society, portraying it as a collapse of civilization.

"Yet across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us."

Here, Wells describes the Martians as superior beings, highlighting their intellect and lack of empathy towards humanity.

"The chances of anything manlike on Mars are a million to one."

This quote reflects the arrogance and complacency of humans before the Martian invasion, underestimating the possibility of intelligent life on other planets.

"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 and yet as mortal as his own; that 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."

Repeated from the beginning, this quote reinforces the theme of human ignorance and vulnerability in the face of the Martian threat.

"The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization."

This quote reflects Wells' commentary on the potential dangers of human advancement and technology, suggesting that civilization itself may lead to humanity's downfall.

"And this Thing I saw! How can I describe it? A 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, striding now across the heather; articulate ropes of steel dangling from it, and the clattering tumult of its passage mingling with the riot of the thunder."

This vivid description of the Martian tripods highlights the advanced technology and destructive power of the invaders, instilling fear and awe in the reader.

Conclusion: 

These quotes from War of the Worlds encapsulate the novel's themes of human vulnerability, the dangers of imperialism, and the consequences of technological advancement. Understanding these key quotes is essential for a comprehensive analysis of the text in preparation for GCSE English Literature examinations.