Do you find the first three chapters of The Time Machine and effective opening for this novella?

The main purpose of the opening, along with introducing characters, setting the scene etc, is to endeavour the theory of the fourth dimension. Especially throughout chapters one and two the time traveller discusses the idea of a fourth dimension; time. ‘There are really four dimensions, three which we call the three plains of space, and a fourth, time. There is, however, a tendency to draw an unreal distinction between the former three dimensions and the latter, because it happens that our consciousness moves intermittently in one direction along the latter from the beginning to the end of our lives.’ Although reading about this became tedious at times the constant reminder helped to infiltrate my brain and altogether improved my understanding as we continue through the novella. This technique clearly shows that this is and older book. I came to this conclusion because even if the first chapter or so is slightly monotonous and only contains need-to-know information, people would have, due to lack of technology, have had no choice but to persevere.

During chapter two Wells uses a dramatic device to raise tension. ‘The Time Traveller stood before us. I gave a cry of surprise. “Good heavens man! What’s the matter?” cried the Medical Man, who saw him next. And the whole table full turned towards the door.

        He was in an amazing plight. His coat was dusty and dirty, and smeared with green down the sleeves; his hair disordered, and as it seemed to me greyer- either with dust or dirt or because its colour had actually faded. His face was ghastly pal; his chin had a brown cut on it.’ The Time Traveller has the ability to return to whatever time he pleases. Instead the author decides to make the Time traveller arrive for the meal late. This technique arouses questions in the mind of the reader.

Another technique that Wells prevails in his novella to make the reader feel important and that you are one of the fortunate ones that has been invited to view this amazing discovery. ‘Our chair, being his patents, embraced and caressed us rather than submitted to be sat upon, and there was that luxurious after-dinner atmosphere when thought runs gracefully free of trammels of precision.’ Also as the story continues we get to hear the Time Traveller recalls the events himself! In addition we receive a tension of reliability and unreliability. The narrator is clearly the Time Travellers friend and so he immediately believes whatever he says. But we also have the Editor that constantly doubts him, an example of binary opposition.

Judging by the list of professions, or names as they happen to be in this novella, it becomes obvious that the Time Traveller is quite an important inventor. There is the Medical Man, Provincial Mayor and the Psychologist; along with Fibly and the Very Young Man. This clearly shows the social status of Time Traveller as being quite a high one. For him to have attracted such a high social ranked audience must mean that the Time Traveller knows what he’s talking about!

To conclude the first three chapters of The Time Machine definitely make an effective opening for when the novella was originally written. Although possibly not as much for a modern audience. I believe this because the first chapter is solely based on the explanation on the fourth dimension or time as it were. I feel that many people would at this point at least consider not persevering with the book. In spite of that the novella is one that I enjoyed and one that would appeal to any keen book reader.