H. G. Wells's ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’ – A Reappraisal of its Mythological Tropes

Abstract

This article puts forward a reinterpretation of the presence of mythological tropes in H. G. Wells's, “The Island of Doctor Moreau.” Once the various contexts within which the novel tends to be read have been presented, attention is drawn to the interpretative approaches adopted by literary critics, such as Bergonzi, Bowen, Hayes, to name but a few, who search for connections between the author's chosen text and myths. Among the cited interpretations, we will find references to, among others, Circe, Comus and Prometheus.  Availing himself of the research methodology adopted by John White and Marie Miguet-Ollagnier, the author identifies the sections where allusions to the myths pertaining to Daedalus and Dionysus are to be most frequently encountered. At the same time, the author expands on the findings of previous research by highlighting newly-found mythological motifs. In his conclusion, the author of this article highlights the need for Wells's work to be now read against the background of the mythological allusions which he has identified as being present in the world of this novel.