waroftheworlds1


 * __Week 1__**


 * Becca Kaul (A) - Food**

The main character in the book is the narrator. For some reason that we have not yet figured out why, the author does not mention his name. The narrator lives in England with his wife and is telling the story of when the strange meteorite from Mars landed and began destroying his town. However, the book starts off with Ogilvy, a well known astronomer, who was excited when he heard the news, anwent to find the meteorite that he was certain had landed. For some reason, however, the book does not directly describe or explain the background of the main character. We know little to nothing about him, so it is difficult to come to a clear conclusion of his personality, traits, etc. On the other hand, this is what draws the reader into the main character. Because we did not receive much background information, the reader is automatically drawn to the main character, wanting to find out more. This makes both the book and the main character extremely interesting because it is almost like they have a secret identity. The main character is so interesting yet so strange and mysterious at the same time. When, or if, his identity is ever revealed throughout the book, everything will be much clearer and easier to understand. At this point in the book it is close to impossible to uncover his true identity, so hopefully it will be revealed sometime soon.
 * Laur****a Bilash (B)**

They probably thought the behavior of the humans, surrounding the ship, was rather peculiar. They might have been more interested in the human behavior, but under the circumstance that their planet was being destroyed and they needed a new home, they wasted no time and began killing the humans. They may have intentionally landed there, in the open field to avoid being seen by many humans. Implying that the aliens did their 'research' before landing. On the other hand, they may have just crashed their ship their accidentally. They might have had another plan in mind, but due an unknown variable the plan did not turn out as planned. Some of our group thinks the aliens intentionally spared the narrator. The others have the idea that some malfunction caused it to nearly miss him and let him live, by chance. They may send more ships to kill the humans and conquer Earth quicker, they may use their forces to enslave the humans on Earth, or they may use the aliens there to gather intelligence until they are ready to launch a major attack in the soon future. They will probably fight in any way that they can, no matter what damage it actually causes. After the aliens become a bigger threat, the human race might team up and send all the armies after them. Eventually, as implied by the title, the human race will have an all out war with the invaders. Some of our group members think are either over it, and that after all the violence they just want to kill the aliens and survive. Meanwhile, others think the scientists want to capture small specimens to study for the future of science, but are still fearful of them and want to kill them to make sure they do not continue killing. The whole group agrees that the writing is a bit confusing since the language has changed since the book was written and his use of words is outdated. However, the bigger picture is still obtained although only certain details are hard to understand, making it just a minor setback.
 * Jesse Krantz (D)- Questions**
 * What do you think the aliens were thinking when they arrived on Earth?**
 * Why do you think the aliens landed there, in the middle of the field?**
 * Why did the invisible heat ray skip over the narrator and spare him?**
 * What do you think the aliens next move will be?**
 * How will the humans retaliate against the aliens and their superior technology?**
 * Do the scientists still want to save the aliens?**
 * Did you understand Wells' writing when described certain things, such as the ship and aliens?**


 * __Week 2__**


 * Becca Kaul (D) - Questions**

H.G. Wells compares the humans on Earth to bacteria. Bacteria on Earth is small and inferior to humans, and the Humans in the book are bacteria to the Martians. They are looked down upon by the Martians because they don't have as much technology.
 * 1. It seems that throughout the book, H.G. Wells portrays the humans on Earth as inferior, do you see them that way as well? Explain.**

both, they thought it would be benificial to them because they thought the martians were going to be slower than them, but it turned out to be detrimental because of the false first impression of the martians, and the martians ended up being just as fast/slow as the humans.
 * 2. Do you think humans perceive the gravitational differences between Mars and Earth as beneficial or detrimental to them? Explain.**

you wouldn't see how the humans were struggling to get away from them, and you would see instead why the Martians came to earth and what their purpose of their voyage was. We would also see their inferiority complex more than we do when it is told by humans.
 * 3. How do you think the story would change if it were told by Martians?**

He probably still has hopes that the humans can come back, but we think that the martians will conquer the humans in the end.
 * 4. At this point in the book, what does the narrator think the outcome of the war will be? Does he think that the humans or the Martians will survive?**

5. What are some of the Humans' perspectives of the Martians? What makes them feel this way? Based on the language of the narrator, we believe that the majority of the Human population is terrified by the Martians. They are scared to the Martians because of the technology. It is also Human nature to be scared of what you don't know, and since the humans seem to know nothing about the Martians, it causes fear inside of them.


 * Jesse (B)- Discussion Leader: Writing**

In the novel, Wells' writing style is very unique. Although using somewhat outdated words and phrases, the overall writing is understandable. Wells focuses a lot on detail and description, giving the reader a nice mental image of what is happening. Wells, although supplying a lot of detail, does not go overboard and still supplies a great story. The book is unique in the sense that it was written well before many other alien stories known today, and Wells sets the basis for many ideals used when writing about extraterrestrials today. The book is not drawn out and supplies an entertaining, peculiar, and horrifying story all written with Wells' writing genius. Wells does not just write about the story and make up the missing details that he needs to make the plot believable. Instead, Wells uses actual science to establish the background, then he adds his own personal twist, still proven plausible by science, and then begins to write the story. Although some of the parts in the story were rather difficult to read, the overall message of the story is not effected and the context in which the obsolete words are used allows the reader to get a sense of the story. The story is unique in its style of incorporating fiction and fact, the writing style in which Wells gets directly to the point of the story, and it is especially unrivaled since the story set the status quo for most modern depictions of aliens and the third kind.

This week's book club was very productive. We started off with some of Shah's delicious munchkins and then began the discussion of this week's topic, which was the writing style and language. We all agreed that the language in this book is a little different from what we are normally used to. However, Well's presents the writing style in a very understandable way, making it very easy for the reader to follow. His great attention to detail provides the reader with a clear image of whatever is going on in the book. For instance, Well's description of the martians is so vivid that the reader can instantly see the image in his or her head. This creates a very clean cut, yet detailed language that makes for an excellent book. We all agreed that we liked the way the book is written not only because it is clear and easy to follow, but also because it is so descriptive and detailed. This type of action book needs to be written in a way so that the reader can feel like they are in the exact place as the character, and feeling the same exact way.
 * Laura (C)- Summary**

Soon after, we began discussing Becca's questions for this week. Many of the questions had to do with martians vs. humans, so we started to discuss the gravitational differences between Mars and Earth. In the book, the narrator began to say that because the gravitational force on Mars is three times more than it is on Earth, the martians should be a lot slower on Earth. However, as the book progressed, we began to see that the narrator's interpretation was very wrong. It turned out that the martians were actually just as fast/slow as the humans were, and no gravitational force was holding them back at all. In addition, we discussed how the humans were starting to become inferior to the martians. Once the humans became aware of the great force and power that the martians withheld, they became terrified. Many people were able to escape, but the ones who were still in the presence of the martians were so confused and astonished. Many people either did not believe what other people were telling them about the martians, or they were just so perplexed that they did not know how to react. The martians began destroying everything that came in their way, humans and all. This showed how much greater the technology of the martians was compared to that of the human's. Because of this, many people's lives were turned upside down, some of them not realizing the greater power of it all.


 * __Week 3__

Laura Bilash (D) - Questions**

Before the Martians invaded England, the people didn't have any proof that they actually existed. When they finally heard of the Martians, they didn't know anything about them except that they were supposedly destroying everything that came in their way. The people had no idea what to expect from the Martians because they didn't know anything about them. Therefore, they probably didn't even think that they would be so intelligent.
 * 1. Why do you think the people were so ignorant towards the intelligence and capability of the Martians?**

The soldiers knew that they were all going to either die or get killed by the Martians, so they might as well die while trying. Also, the soldiers job is to protect the people in their country, so they still had to do their job, despite the danger of it all. Also, there were some soldiers that were not aware of how powerful the Martians were, so they didn't know what they were capable of doing.
 * 2. Even when most of the soldiers were aware of how powerful the Martians were, they still continued to attempt to defeat them. Why do you think this is so?**

The Martians probably did land in England for some reason. However, it has not yet been said in the book. The Martians probably targeted England because they either want something from the people or they want something that is there. This is why they are destroying everything, because they can't find what they are looking for and the people are not giving it to them. Also, they wanted to take out a heavy populated city first, so that they could eventually capture what they are looking for.
 * 3. What do you think the Martians intentions are for England? Do you think they landed there on purpose?**

The Martians probably do not care if the people flee their homes or not, as long as they give them what they want or leave them alone. However, the people continue to flee their homes because they are scared and do not want to get killed. Also, the Martians most likely are trying to get to one specific area, and that is why they continue moving on from town to town. Either way, the Martians would probably just kill the people, so it doesn't really matter if they leave their homes now or later. **
 * 4. Do you think the Martians want the people to keep fleeing their homes, in attempt to get them all to one specific area?

Most people are so frightened by the Martians that they just want to get away from it all. The transportation that they do have is either destroyed or the drivers have fled themselves. Also, it is hard to flee the country in such a short period of time when so many other people are trying to leave too. It is nearly impossible to do so, and that is why many people are just continuing to leave their town and move on farther away from the Martians. **
 * 5. If most people know the Martians are continuing foward through England, why aren't they fleeing the country?


 * Jesse Krantz (A)- Food

Becca Kaul (C) - Meeting Summary The meeting started off with Jesse's food. He brought delicious munchkins from Dunkin' Donuts, and orange juice. As we all ate, we began discussing the book beginning with the questions that Laura had made for us. It was a unanimous decision that everyone reading the book felt as though the Martians intentions are not to completely conquer Earth, they want something from the Humans, although they don't know what it is. We also discussed how the Martians felt about the humans. Jesse, Shah, Laura and I all think that the Martians don't believe that the humans are useful in their pursuit for whatever they are looking for. We say this because we feel as though if the Martians considered the Humans to be useful, they would keep them alive. Therefore, we believe that then Martians want something that the Human's haven't discovered, won't discover, or are preventing its' discovery. We are all very excited to find out what the Martians are looking for, as we are still lost as to what it is. Also, our perceptions of the Martians have changed. We see them less as purposely destructive, but more as focused on finding what they are looking for, and desperate to do so. We are excited to find out what it is that they want from Earth and cannot wait to read further in the book. ** __**Week 4**__

Sagar Shah (B)- Questions


 * 1. Why do you think the author writes about his brother escaping London?

The author writes about this because he wants to show all the chaos going on across the nation and that no one can escape the Alien attack.**

2. Wells attended the Normal School of Science where he became a biologist. His prime passions, however, remained reading and writing. What effect did this combination of interests have on H.G. Wells’ style as a writer? This effect on his writing is that he writes very abstractly. By using the aliens and describing them to full detail, it seems as if he uses his biology skills to portray a "creepy" race of animals that want to take over Earth.

3. What is your favorite scene so far?

Mine is when the author and curate stay for two days in an abandoned house in Halliford. The curate is annoying to the author, so he locks himself in a room, worried about his wife. He assures himself that the Martians have headed towards London, away from Leatherhead. I choose this scene because it shows how afraid the humans were of the aliens and that portion just seemed very nice.

4. Do you think the humans will fight back? Why or why not?

Yes I think that the humans will fight back because they are supposed to be the superior race in the universe and this would just show that they are strong enough to beat aliens.

6. The character of the curate represents organized religion in The War of the Worlds. What is H.G. Wells saying about the role of organized religion in dealing with the Martians and metaphorically, with the real world’s political and social problems? Do you agree or disagree with his assessment?

Politically: Politically, there is nothing (at least that we know of). Socially, religion can bring people together just like in the movies. The worst of enemies can come together and fight together to destroy the inferior race (this case: aliens).

The book club meeting this week began with fear. As Shah and I sat in the classroom we could only think of one thing: Munchkins. Laura and Becca were still not in class and it was already 8:05. We were not sure who was responsible for food, but we knew it was not us. Finally, Laura came with the Munchkins, although Becca was not in class. The meeting stated with a quick overview of the themes and images, this weeks book club topic. We noticed that the themes and images incorporated lots of biological sciences and social sciences into the book. He hints at themes from behavior of humans between themselves, and themes using humans an examples of species to depict more Darwinist views. The science incorporated int he book led us into a discussion on Wells' background in the science field and both how science influences his writing and how it may have been Wells' reason for the entire novel. This discussion on Wells' scientific background led us beautifully into the questions that Shah had prepared. His questions began very generally, but transitioned into specifics of the book very well. After the questions, we did not even realize that we had begun to talk about the ending. We are all aware of the ending from the movie __War of the Worlds__, but we were all a bit indefinite about how it would happen. The book was rather different than the movie, so we thought that the book's ending may also be a bit different. After comparing and debating our different ideas time had flown by and the period was over.
 * Jesse Krantz (C)- Meeting Summary**


 * Laura Bilash (A)- Food

__Week 5__ Jesse Krantz (D)- Questions**

Laura, Shah, and Becca didn't like the ending and how the aliens were killed by diseases that they had no immunity to and that the humans did not really kill the aliens. It seemed too unrealistic or too much of a fairy tale ending for them. However, I think that the ending was appropriate, since the humans were saved by the microorganisms, the same bacteria that Wells uses to describe the humans in comparison with the aliens. It shows the real strength of the bacteria, while Wells uses it as a metaphor to describe the inferiority the humans had to the aliens. Also, it brings a nice end to the common theme of fate vs. reality and the survival of the fittest. It showed that the humans had survived and proved themselves as superior once again, and that they were saved a stroke of luck in the time of utter chaos.
 * Were you satisfied with the end of the novel?**

It can be used to represent imperialism, and how when large countries colonized, sometimes they died by being exposed to new diseases and stuff in the place they colonize. Multiple times, when imperialistic empires created colonies, they either brought disease or obtained illnesses from the colonized area. This is a key example in showing how the human race, constantly trying to colonize each other, was finally being colonized.
 * Does the ending show some historical significance?**

Only I have seen any other representations of __War of the Worlds__, which was the Steven Spielberg movie with Tom Cruise. I feel that the book was a lot better than the movie because it incorporates more themes and ideals beyond the words in the book. The movie takes place in a more modern era with different events and a different ending. I liked the book because I thought that in the events there was more symbolism, especially in the ending of the book. Even some of the similar events that occurred, I liked Wells' use of language to further the understanding of the story to the reader.
 * How did the novel compare with other movies or stories about __War of the Worlds__ you have seen?**

Yes, besides the historical acts he incorporates in the story, he also touches upon scientific details and uses many biological themes in the novel. Wells uses imperialistic ideas, especially some Representative of Britain's colonization of America. On top of that, he also uses his scientific background to incorporate more meaning to the story. he focuses on ideas from Charles Darwin, such as survival of the fittest, faint hints of evolution, along with other biological ideals all around the novel.
 * Does Wells' education get expressed during the novel?**

It is possible that the martians would have found a way to survive on Earth and they would have come back to complete their goal, but there is most likely a symbolic reason Wells ended the story there. It is symbolic of many imperialistic empires, including the British colonization of America and the American freedom that lasted after the Revolutionary War.
 * If the story continued, do you think the martians would have attacked again?**

Laura and Shah said they do not believe in aliens at all. However, Becca believes in the stereotypical alien that may live on various planets around the world. I believe that there are aliens, but not necessarily how we think of them. I feel that any life on another planet, from a plant to a human-like organism is an alien and I fell that they are out there somewhere, it is just too much to explore in the short amount of time that humans have been around.
 * Do you think there are such things as aliens?**

Yes, we all agreed he used the same aspects of aliens and good alien stories that we see today, but he did it over 100 years ago. He was the first person to successfully create an alien story, which has been adopted and evolved over the years into what it is today. Besides the aliens, he even set the ground for eerie horror-like stories, by using dark and ominous settings to describe evil (in this case the aliens).
 * Do you feel that Wells laid down the standard look and mentality for aliens, which has evolved over the years into what modern filmmakers/ authors use today?**

The war of the Worlds by H.G. Wells turned out to be very different than what I first expected. Overall, I thought that the book was pretty good, considering that it was in a completely different genre that I normally prefer. As my group members and I may agree, the plot was very interesting, which kept the reader focused on the book at all times. However, we all agreed that the ending of the book left us with many questions that were not able to be answered. I would recommend this book to peers, even if they are not interested in science-fiction books. Because this book is known to be very science-fiction and all about science, most people tend to stay away from it. However, after reading this book, their views may very well change dramatically. Not only is this book a great pick for peers, but for really anyone. The War of the Worlds tells an actual story of the martian invasion, so it does not only include science-like information. The story behind the book is very interesting and grasps the readers attention very easily. Furthermore, however, whether or not the topic of the book has been discussed more or less effectively in another book is not something that I particularly know of. The topic of martians taking over the world is most likely the topic of many books, and it is also the topic of a movie based on this book. However, the movie is different than the book, but it still has the same main topic of the world or a certain place being destroyed. The War of the Worlds is a great, suspenseful book, and would be a great choice for the school's curriculum. This book is a known classic, so it would be an obvious choice. By reading this book, students would be able to get in touch with their more imaginative side. Because the idea of a martian invasion is so far-fetched, students would be able to have an in-depth conversation of whether or not this is actually possible, or they could simply write about it. Because this book is so creative yet so gracefully written, it would be an excellent choice for peers, a school curriculum, or quite frankly, anyone with an imagination. **
 * Laura Bilash (B)