The War of the Worlds Lesson Plan

While the narrator and the curate are imprisoned in the ruined house, the curate starts to give up hope. Why do you think the curate begins to welcome death and punishment? Do you think H.G. Wells values religion compared to science? Why or why not?

The curate views the Martians as representing the wrath of God, who is punishing humans for having sinned. The curate says, “It is just. On me and mine be the punishment laid. We have sinned…” According to the logic and narrative of the curate’s religion, divine punishment is the only plausible explanation for what is happening. The curate, not being a man of science like the narrator, can’t comprehend the idea that two...