THE
ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU: Addressing the ethical issues concerning science a
hundred years too early
This
book, as with other H.G. Wells books, portrays the drawbacks of humanity’s
immoral scientific undertakings. Taking into account that this book has been
published in 1896, its portrayal of diminishing ethicality is rather prophetic,
as modern humanity addresses the very same issue today.
The
story is about Edward Prendick, who finds himself on an island with two mad
doctors. As it turns out, these doctors are performing vivisections to animals,
giving them humanlike characteristics. This plot point, however, is not
executed mindlessly. It has been told in a way that creates an air of mystery,
and so when it has been revealed, it gives the overall story a suspenseful and
horrific flavour. What makes it more interesting is the doctors’ implication of
authority over these beast-men. It tackles humanity’s desire for power, or,
should I say, godhood. The suspenseful and horrific themes are further
exploited when the bestiality of these specimens start to resurface. They start
to rebel against the authoritative doctors, and Edward Prendick finds himself
in the middle of all the commotion. In the end, everybody suffers greatly from the
doctors’ immoral undertakings.
Even
though the prose is somewhat flat, for the descriptions are rather direct and
uninspiring, the readers will find themselves diving deeper into the story.
There are enough major and minor conflicts that will keep them going -- and what
makes these conflicts interesting is their incorporation of how Mother Nature’s
laws are beyond humanity’s alteration. In truth, even without the minor
conflicts, the protagonist’s exploration of the island and its peculiar inhabitants
is already intriguing in itself that it will keep the readers interested. The
beast-men’s attempts to create a society -- just like that of the human’s -- have
been a successful attempt in making the island’s foundation more solid and
interesting. Add the ethical impositions that H.G. Wells has incorporated
between the lines, and the readers will find themselves in an interesting,
gripping story of science and morality.
H.G.
Wells, without a doubt, is one of the fathers of modern science fiction. He has
been influenced by Darwinian ideas, and he depicts in his books how these ideas
will get to influence humankind -- for better or worse. The Island of Doctor
Moreau is no exception to this, for it is a book that cautions us about the
possible consequences of humanity’s immorality towards science. Like The Time
Machine, it is really incredible to know that this has been written in the
nineteenth century.
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