Ethical Issues Raised by H.G. Wells,’ The First Men in the Moon
H.G. Wells’ novel, The First Men in the Moon, is a science fiction novel that centers on the journey of two men as they travel and explore the mysteries of the moon. As the two embark on their journey, I am able to almost see the world they arrive in through Wells’ vivid descriptions, which makes the story that much more exciting. Though space travel and exploration was nothing but a fantasy at the time of the book’s publication in 1901, Wells is able to not only paint a detailed picture of the space exploration process, but is also able to raise a vital ethical question through his writing that is still relevant in today’s day and age.
To begin answering this question, I must first understand the basis of the plot itself. As mentioned previously, the story centers on two individuals: Mr. Bedford and Dr. Cavor. At the start of the novel, Mr. Bedford has found himself in a bit of a financial mess, and he leaves his job in business to begin working on a play, which he hopes will bring him financial success. Bedford rents a small cottage in the English countryside in hopes of finding a peaceful place to write. However, Mr. Bedford realizes that each day he spends in the cottage, the same man passes outside his door, drawing much attention to himself flailing his arms and making noises.
Mr. Bedford watches this behavior for two weeks before deciding to question the man outside. He finds out that this man is Dr. Cavor, a scientist who is developing a new material called “cavorite,” which Dr. Cavor hopes will be able to shield off gravity. Mr. Bedford becomes significantly interested in this when he realizes the financial gains that may be involved, and the two men begin working together to perfect the cavorite substance and eventually to build a spaceship.
Only upon watching the sunrise do they witness a transformation in the atmosphere that alters the wasteland to one filled with lush forests: “It was like a miracle, that growth. So, one must imagine, the trees and plants arose at the Creation and covered the desolation of the new-made earth” (Wells 39). The two men eventually eat a type of plant life they find and are rendered unconscious by the drug effects of the plant. The two wake up, having been captured by aliens that inhabit the moon, whom the men refer to as “Selenites.” Bedford and Cavor observe these inhabitants from their captivity and discover a way to escape, and the two travels in hopes of finding their way back home.
Bedford eventually makes his way back home and decides to write his experience into a novel. During his writing process, Mr. Bedford is aided when he begins receiving radio signals from Dr. Cavor who has built a one-way transmitter on the moon. Dr. Cavor tells Bedford of his now stable interactions with the Selenites who have decided to cut off all contact with the Earth upon viewing it as having little value in terms of its delight in war and predatory tendencies. The novel ends as Bedford is listening to a final signal from Dr. Cavor in which the radio signal cuts out forever just as Cavor is detailing how to go about making the cavorite substance.
Humans are just focusing on the advancement of technology, but they ignore the ethics of that technology. Even in this novel which came out first in 1901, Wells was able to capture the wish for a technology that could bring humanity closer to reaching space. Over one hundred years later, this longing for new technology and advancements has only gotten stronger. In a world filled with high technology, it can be noted that there have been equal amounts of advancement in technology for good as in that for destruction. While we can note that millions of lives are saved daily because of advances in medical technology, we can note the same in looking at technology created for war and military strikes.
It is in viewing this issue that the ethical issue comes into play. We must ask ourselves how much is too much in terms of technology when the outcome of its use can affect so many. In his book, The Early Fiction of H.G. Wells, author Steven McLean notes that Wells’ works went back and forth in his writing in terms of bringing light to certain ethical ideals: the gladiatorial theory of existence which is used as a “guide for ethical conduct arguing that humanity should initiate a program of co-operative ethical evolution in order to ensure the survival of as many as possible” and that of the competitive model which states that “humanity cannot escape the model of competition that is suggested by nature itself” (McLean 4).
These models can both be seen in The First Men in the Moon. Although in Wells’ novel only one man, Dr. Cavor, seemed to suffer from such technological advances, it is clear to see that this is only the beginning in terms of what man can do to reach new heights in terms of knowledge, technology, and most importantly power.
Works Cited
McLean, Steven. The Early Fiction of H.G. Wells: Fantasies of Science. Palgrave
Macmillan. 2009. Print.
Wells, H. G. The First Men in the Moon. Aziloth Books. 2003. Print.
