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Allegory
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Chapter 6: The Evil-Looking Boatmen
Explanation and Analysis—Huxley:
When Montomery introduces Prendick to Moreau in Chapter 6, Prendick alludes to his specific scientific background:
He looked keenly into my face. “Montgomery says you are an educated man, Mr. Prendick—says you know something of science. May I ask what that signifies?”
I told him I had spent some years at the Royal College of Science, and had done some research in biology under Huxley. He raised his eyebrows slightly at that.
Thomas Henry Huxley was Wells's own mentor. In the debate on vivisection, or surgical experimentation on animals, Huxley vocally supported scientific freedom. He believed that scientists should be able to conduct experiments for the sake of learning and teaching. Although he did not relish the idea of animal cruelty, he generally felt that the principle of scientific freedom outweighed ethical and moral concerns.
Moreau takes this philosophy to the extreme. He used to live in England, but a vivisected dog escaped from his lab and drew attention to his unsavory scientific practices. He is so committed to scientific discovery that he fled society rather than reigning in his vivisection to comply with legal and social strictures. For Moreau, nothing about his life is as important as his freedom to perform experimental surgeries on animals.
Moreau is glad to hear that Prendick has studied with Huxley because it means Prendick is likely to be open to animal experimentation in the name of science. Because of how extreme his experiments are, it would be bad news for Moreau to have a visitor on the island who was closed off to the idea of vivisection. Prendick could threaten the entire operation. Finding out instead that his visitor has studied biology and that he is a disciple of Huxley suggests to Moreau that he might form a tentative alliance with Prendick. What's more, Prendick represents a link to the broader scientific community from which Moreau has exiled himself. Moreau still believes fully in his methods and mission, so the idea that what he is doing on the island might get back to Huxley appeals to his ambition.
Related Themes:
Chapter 7: The Locked Door
Explanation and Analysis—Bluebeard's Chamber:
In Chapter 7, Moreau stops Montgomery from showing Prendick the entirety of his house. He alludes to the French folktale "Bluebeard" in a way that foreshadows his own bloody end and Prendick's inheritance of the island:
"I’m sorry to make a mystery, Mr. Prendick—but you’ll remember you’re uninvited. Our little establishment here contains a secret or so, is a kind of Bluebeard’s Chamber, in fact. Nothing very dreadful really—to a sane man. But just now—as we don’t know you—”
“Decidedly,” said I; “I should be a fool to take offence at any want of confidence.”
In the folktale, a young woman marries a nobleman named Bluebeard whose six previous wives have all mysteriously disappeared. Bluebeard takes his new wife away from her family to his countryside palace. There is a room she is not allowed to go in. Eventually, curiosity gets the better of her. She breaks into the room and finds a bloody chamber containing the remains of his previous wives. Bluebeard comes home and is going to kill her as well, but at the last moment her siblings arrive and kill Bluebeard. The young woman inherits his palace.
Moreau is telling the truth about his "Bluebeard's Chamber." It is a bloodbath inside. He trusts that Prendick will take his remark for a joke, and he turns out to be right; Prendick is not alarmed. But Prendick's time on the island will play out much like the young woman's in the folktale. He will discover Moreau's secret vivisection chamber, Moreau will die a bloody death, and Prendick will inherit the island and the entire mess Moreau has created. Just like the young woman, Prendick ends up stuck with haunted property. While it looks desirable on the surface to own a palace or a whole island, each of these estates is the site of violence and trauma that won't be easily forgotten. Prendick eventually flees the island, but even so he is stuck with the story of what happened there. He writes the book so that he won't be the only one paranoid that society beyond the island will crumble into the same lawlessness that eventually prevailed among the Beast Folk.
Related Themes:
