The Cone by Byron Year 11

A review on the short story: The Cone by H.G Wells

The book was first published in 1895, in the same year that the North British Aluminium Country built it’s first  Aluminium plant but still quite some time after the industrial revolution: this means that it is much more relevant and believable than it would be if it was a modern author representing the thoughts of people in that time.

Wells’ shows with his writing that he is against the spreading of industrialisation in Britain, we can see this from his archetype with Horrocks and those who lead the industries: ‘the fire of his eyes under the shadow of his brows’ this quote suggests that he has a burning passion, but it is shrouded with uncaringness for how his goals are achieved. Wells doesn’t think that these people are evil, only that they are blind to the damage they cause. This is further proved by, near the end of the novel; ‘”God have mercy upon me!” he cried. “O God! what have I done?”‘ This shows that Wells thinks that it will take a horrible tragedy for them to realise what they have done, and that they will only come to their senses when it is too late.

Wells uses strong foreshadowing throughout his tale, such as: ‘”Don’t go!” and “Beware of him!” struggled in her mind’ although in a story sense, this does give away the mystery it still creates an eerie atmosphere to the story. It could also be Wells displaying a deeper meaning that the evidence and warnings are all around them, they just won’t listen.