Characters in The Time Machine

The Time Traveler: The nameless time traveler exploits the idea of the common man to readers. “The Time Traveller (for so it will be convenient to speak of him) was expounding a recondite matter to us. His grey eyes shone and twinkled and his usually pale face was flushed and animated” (Wells 5). The author may want to protect his identity. He is a very successful inventor and speaks passionately about time travel in his London home.

The Morlocks: The Morlocks are ape-like creatures and are noted as overall ugly. “And they were filthy cold to the touch” (Wells 79). They are the working class of the novel. Morlocks are cannibals and work continuously all day. Although they strive to earn ample profits, these creatures are very unsocial and very selfish.

The Eloi: Eloi are on the other side of the spectrum, relative to the Morlocks. “The Eloi, as a group, are depicted as feminized, neither sex has any facial hair and both possess small red mouths” (Caldwell 4). They are relaxed individuals and rely on the hardworking Morlocks for food. Eloi are all about having fun and freedom.

Weena: “Weena, a young woman, the Time Traveler has rescued from drowning, becomes his friend and guide” (Stableford 8). Her behavior toward him is near that of a pet or small child. She helplessly relies on him for everything. Weena is the only Eloi the Time Traveler gets to know.
The Dinner Guests: These few characters play a short, yet crucial part to the overall story. “At a dinner part in London, the Time Traveler is attempting to convince his six skeptical guests that Euclidean geometry is based on a misconception” (Aubrey 1). The Time Traveler uses them to revert back to current times. The dinner guests also provide symbolism, of a simple yellow flower that gives a visual representation of the future.
The Narrator: He is one of the Time Traveler’s dinner guests. He is the only one to completely believe the Time Traveler. “I grieved to think how brief the dream of the human intellect had been.” (Wells 119). He speaks of how he ponders the idea time travel as a reality. He even comes back the next morning to learn more about the fourth dimension in which time travel is deemed to be possible.