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Scientific optimism versus Victorian pessimism and gender ideology
In many ways, the book is a product of its time, from its male protagonist’s aggressive thoughts of “having the hardest time in the world” not to strangle the “little people” with their “pretty laughing faces” after he could not make himself understood, to the casual presumption that only the “civilised man” can overcome natural constraints like gravity or time. I have read quite a few books from this period and these are typical attitudes that reflect the way many people thought at that time.

The protagonist holds the optimistic belief that through reason and science, the world will inevitably become more ‘intelligent, educating, and cooperating”, as “things will move faster and faster towards the subjugation of Nature” until “in the end, wisely and carefully we shall readjust the balance of animal and vegetable life to suit our human needs.” This is then contrasted with what the protagonist actually encounters on his t…