Discussion questions
Why does the story start with a dinner party?
To show different opinions and set the stage for the Time Traveller's story.
How does the narrator help you understand the story?
The narrator helps by describing the Time Traveller and what happened.
Who is telling the story and what do we know about them?
The narrator is telling the story. He is an unnamed guest, telling what he heard and saw.
How does THE NARRATOR respond to the Time Traveller's theory?
Curious, interested, respectful
A measurement in space or time
Dimension
Who is telling the story, and how do they know the Time Traveller?
The narrator is one of the guests. He is telling what he has observed
What might happen if people believed the Time Traveller's story?
People might feel scared or excited. It would change how they see the world.
Who actually tells the main events? How are they different from the narrator?
The Time Traveller gives the main story - the narrator just repeats it. He is more emotional and passionate, unlike the narrator.
How does FILBY respond to the Time Traveller's theory?
Skeptical, dismissive.
Not believing something; doubt
Incredulity
How do the guests feel about the Time Traveller's story? Why?
Some believe him; others do not. They are curious but unsure.
Why is it important that the narrator is not the same person as the Time Traveller?
It gives us two views - what the narrator sees, and what the Time Traveler says.
Does the narrator believe the Time Traveller? How does this affect the reader?
The narrator mostly believes the story but also questions it. This makes readers unsure whether the story is true.
How does THE MEDICAL MAN respond to the Time Traveller's theory?
Cautious, asked for evidence, and needs proof. This makes sense because he is a doctor - medicine and science require evidence.
Based on ideas, not proven
Theoretical
What is the Time Traveller's theory?
He says time is a 4th dimension that we can move through, like space.
What are some things the Time Traveller says that seem hard to believe?
Things like moving through time and space sound confusing and magical.
How does the two-layer storytelling change how we feel about the story?
As readers, we may slightly believe the Time Traveler, but since it's a 'retelling' or a 'second-hand account ', we might also feel skeptical.
How does THE PSYCHOLOGIST respond to the Time Traveller's theory?
Curious, asked about dimensions, took a theoretical approach.
A situation that seems impossible or contradictory
Paradox
How does the frame structure affect readers' perception of the story?
The frame structure makes the story feel like a secondhand account. This makes the reader skeptical of the Time Traveller's story.
How does Wells use the idea of time as the 4th dimension to challenge the reader's understanding of time?
Wells says that time is a dimension we move through, just like space. This was a new and challenging idea that encouraged readers to rethink how they perceive the past, present, and future.
Why did HG Wells choose to use a frame structure?
Wells uses the frame structure to make the story more realistic and mysterious. The frame structure mimics scientific storytelling.
How does THE TIME TRAVELLER EXPLAIN his theory?
Confidently, uses analogies and references to math/science.
The appearance of being real or true
Versimilitude