Aboard Quote by H.G. Wells
““Every soul aboard stood at the bulwarks or on the seats of the steamer and stared at that distant shape, higher than the trees or church towers inland, and advancing with a leisurely parody of a human stride.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, 1898
A crowd watches a massive, slow-moving object that seems both awe‑inspiring and absurd, highlighting humanity’s mixed feelings of wonder and triviality when confronting the unknown.
In simple terms: People stare at a huge, slow object, feeling both awe and absurdity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both awe and absurdity in extraordinary events.
Themes
wonder
absurdity
humanity
observation
Mood
awe
curiosity
reflective
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- travel
- first contact
- mass sightings
- public reaction
Key Concepts
existential awe
scale perception
human curiosity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scale affect our emotional response?
- What does the “leisurely parody” suggest about human perception?
A Different Perspective
The description may romanticize the scene, overlooking fear or panic.
![“The thing [Henry James'] novel is about is always there. It is like a church lit but without a congregation to distract you, with every light and line focused on the high altar. And on the altar, very reverently placed, intensely there, is a dead kitten, an egg-shell, a bit of string.” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19f/h-g-wells-2-1299_books_the-thing-henry-james-novel-is-about-is_138893.jpg)
