The Sleeper Awakes, an Updated Version

H.G. Wells was called the Father of Science Fiction. He was also a literary prophet.

Dystopian novels revealed a deep mistrust on scientific progress, which may be the reason why many characters were solitary figures. There was uncertainty on how the world would turn out. It was an exciting time in Europe, but Wells may have second thoughts. Although he was a believer in Darwinism, as seen in his latter works, he didn't see a bright future. "The Sleeper Awakes" was about a financier who slept for 203 years. He had a case of culture shock when he woke up. It was 2100 AD. He became the most powerful man in Britain, but the populace saw him as a threat to their orderly existence. It was another case of a wanted gentleman on the run.

If H.G. Wells were alive right now, he would learn he was spot on. He may be surprised at some things, though. Let's imagine the possibilities:

Social media will turn H.G. Wells into a Messiah, but the public will be weary and annoyed of him. Not that the author will turn his back on authorship, but a blog and Twitter account will give him more options to let his opinion known to the (online) world. But he may not understand how the current generation become cynical. Two world wars turned him into a pacifist, where he still had hopes on the human race. But this is the mindset of an intellectual.

H.G. Wells will be baffled at climate change. The author may not see it coming, of how climate change will influence the political and economic situation of Britain. It will also have a domino effect on the rest of the world. Will he be an advocate of environmental change? Perhaps not. Wells preferred interacting with people, letting them knew of his (political) vision.

H.G. Wells will embrace the European Union. Wells would like the vision of the European Union (E.U.), even persuading his fellow Britons to adapt the euro. He would see the political benefits of the E.U. too.

H.G. Wells would be a huge supporter of Elizabeth II. The author's satire on Victorian society reflected his reservations on the British Empire. Some would wonder about it, as Great Britain was the most powerful nation during Queen Victoria's reign. But that was it. Wells was about to witness the beginning of the Cold War when he passed away. He knew where Britain would stand, and what might still be done. (Wells had a change of heart after learning about Stalin's rule.) And he may find Elizabeth's reign as relatively uneventful, which would comfort him.

Reality television turns him off. The author may like the fame that comes along with appearances in reality television and social media, but he won't give up his privacy. He would end up like one of his reclusive characters instead.