Gina Johnson
When the Sleeper Wakes is a dystopian science fiction novel by English writer H.G. Wells. First serialised between 1898 and 1899, the story follows a young man, Graham, who, after suffering from insomnia, falls into a deep sleep for 200 years. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a transformed London, where he has become the richest man in the world due to compound interest on his bank accounts. The novel explores themes of wealth, power, and social inequality, with Wells weaving his socialist ideals throughout the narrative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | H.G. Wells |
| Narrator | Frederick Davidson |
| Publisher | Blackstone Audio, Inc. |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Format | Audiobook |
| Release date | 1899 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
A man sleeps for 200 years
In the late 1890s, H.G. Wells wrote a science fiction novel about a man who sleeps for 200 years. The novel, titled "When the Sleeper Wakes", follows the story of Graham, a young man who resorts to medication for his insomnia and falls into a deep sleep. When he finally wakes up, he finds himself in a world of great marvels and scientific achievements, but also a world of economic struggle and social unrest.
Wells, a prolific English writer known for his work in science fiction, presents a future in which big business runs the world and the two-party system is gone. The main character, Graham, wakes up to discover that he has become the richest man in the world. Due to compound interest on his bank accounts and the acquisition of assets, he is now the sole owner of everything, with an administrative council that dictates to the world in his name. This theme of wealth accumulation and its impact on society is a central aspect of the novel.
As Graham navigates this new world, he encounters a dissatisfied hierarchy and budding rebel leaders. The rebels, led by Ostrog, believe that the people need Graham's leadership to rise against the ruling class, known as the White Council. Graham, disoriented and unsure, joins the rebels but soon discovers that Ostrog is power-hungry and willing to exploit the lower classes to achieve his goals. Wells weaves his socialist ideals throughout the novel, presenting a critical view of the future and the potential consequences of unchecked capitalism.
"When the Sleeper Wakes" is considered a prophetic work, as Wells accurately predicted the use of aeroplanes, green energy, and dictatorship. The novel also explores themes such as advertising, television, banking, labor organization, and totalitarianism. Despite some slow-moving initial chapters, the exciting ending makes the novel a stimulating read. Wells himself called it "one of the most ambitious of my books", and it continues to capture the imagination of readers today.
Understanding Sleep-Wake Cycles: What's Normal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He wakes up to a transformed world
H.G. Wells' "When the Sleeper Wakes" is a fascinating tale of a man who wakes up to a world drastically transformed after sleeping for over two hundred years. Graham, the protagonist, was a young man struggling with insomnia when he finally resorted to medication and fell into a deep slumber. He wakes up two centuries later, still youthful, to a world that has undergone remarkable scientific advancements and marvels. The most startling revelation is that he has become the richest man in the world. Due to compound interest on his bank accounts, Graham's wealth has accumulated beyond his wildest imagination, making him the legal owner and master of most of the world.
Graham finds himself in a transformed London, where technology has advanced significantly. He discovers that his dreams of a future revealed in all its horrors have come true. Wells, a socialist himself, weaves his ideals into the narrative, presenting a critical view of a future where big businesses run the world. The novel explores themes of wage slavery, dictatorship, and the stark disparities between the rich and the poor.
As Graham navigates this new world, he encounters a satisfied hierarchy and a budding rebel leader, Ostrog. The rebels believe that Graham's leadership is crucial for their uprising against the White Council. Graham, though unconvinced, joins them in their quest for change. He soon learns that the world is not as it seems, and the revolution has done little to improve the lives of the lower classes. Ostrog, it appears, is merely a power-hungry leader who has used the revolution to climb to the top.
"When the Sleeper Wakes" is a prophetic and ambitious work by Wells, envisioning concepts like flying, advertising, television, banking, and totalitarianism. It is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and a possible future, where despite the advancements, the underlying issues of inequality and power struggles remain prevalent. The novel presents a unique perspective on the potential consequences of unchecked capitalism and the inherent flaws in a system driven by greed.
REM Sleep: The Final Stage Before Awakening
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He is now the richest man
In H.G. Wells' "When the Sleeper Wakes", Graham, the sleeper, is a young man who suffers from insomnia and resorts to medication to fall asleep. Unbeknownst to him, he would not wake up for another two hundred years. When he finally does wake up, he finds himself in a transformed world of great scientific achievements and marvels. Due to the accumulation of compound interest on his bank accounts over two centuries, Graham has become the richest man in the world and the owner of everything.
Graham's wealth and status as the sole owner of the world's private property make him a pivotal figure in the story. He becomes a figurehead for the people, with an administrative council that dictates to the world in his name. Graham's wealth and influence also attract the attention of rebels led by Ostrog, who seek his leadership to rise against the White Council. Graham's resources and position as the richest man become central to the plot, as he is pulled into the political and social struggles of this future world.
As the richest man, Graham has the power to significantly impact the world he has woken up to. He decides to guarantee the distribution of his assets among the people if anything should happen to him, recognizing the economic disparities that exist. This act of championing the oppressed and martyring himself for their cause further highlights the extent of his wealth and influence. Graham's wealth also grants him access to experiences and opportunities that shape his understanding of the world, such as learning how to fly an aeroplane.
The underlying economy of the world that Graham wakes up to is a critical aspect of the story. The concept of "wage slavery" and the depiction of a future where big business runs the world reflect Wells' socialist ideals and critique of economic inequality. Graham's wealth and ownership of everything highlight the disparities between the rich and the exploited lower classes, even in a world of advanced scientific achievements.
Overall, Graham's status as the richest man in the world drives the narrative of "When the Sleeper Wakes" and allows Wells to explore themes of wealth, power, and social inequality in a futuristic setting.
Motorolla Sleep-Wake Button Repair: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He is revered as a leader
In the H.G. Wells novel, "When the Sleeper Wakes", Graham is revered as a leader. Graham, the sleeper, is a young man who suffers from insomnia and falls into a deep sleep that lasts two hundred years. During his sleep, the world transforms, and due to compound interest on his bank accounts, he becomes the richest man in the world and the owner of everything.
Upon waking, Graham finds himself in a world of great scientific achievements and marvels. He is revered as a leader by the rebels, who believe that the people need his leadership to rise against the ruling powers. Graham becomes a figurehead for the revolution, with the rebels using his wealth and status to further their cause.
However, Graham is initially disoriented and unsure of his role. He is placed under house arrest and must escape with the help of the rebels. Despite his reservations, he goes along with their plans, hoping to bring about positive change. Graham's leadership is instrumental in the rebels' march against the White Council, even though they are ultimately defeated by the state police.
As the story progresses, Graham becomes a puppet ruler, manipulated by Ostrog, who uses the revolution to seize power for himself. Graham's idealism and desire to help the oppressed are evident in his actions, such as guaranteeing the distribution of his assets among the people. He also shows off his combat aviator skills, further endearing himself to the rebels.
Overall, Graham's character in "When the Sleeper Wakes" is a complex one. He is revered as a leader by the rebels, but he also struggles with his role and the responsibilities that come with it. His journey, from a young man suffering from insomnia to a leader of a revolution, is a fascinating exploration of power, idealism, and the potential pitfalls of leadership.
Understanding Sleep-Wake Cycles: Regulation and Maintenance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He is a puppet ruler
In the audiobook When the Sleeper Wakes, Graham, the sleeper, is a young man who suffers from insomnia and falls into a deep sleep for two centuries. When he wakes up, he finds himself to be the owner of the world because his wealth has accumulated beyond his imagination.
Graham's wealth makes him a revered leader, but he becomes a puppet ruler to Ostrog, who retains power while Graham is the figurehead. Ostrog uses Graham and the revolution to take power for himself. Graham is interested in aeroplanes and learns how to fly. He sees that agriculture is run like industry and that there are only four huge cities in Britain, all powered by windmills.
Graham is a puppet ruler because he has no real power, despite being the legal owner and master of most of the world. The people around him do not answer his questions and instead place him under house arrest. It is the rebels, led by Ostrog, who help Graham escape and tell him that the people need his leadership to rise against the White Council. Graham is unconvinced but goes with them.
Ostrog manipulates Graham by telling him that the rebels have won and that the people want the Sleeper to rule. Graham is a puppet in Ostrog's hands, used to further his own agenda. Ostrog admits that the lower classes are still dominated and exploited, but he defends the system. Graham is a figurehead, a made-up figure used to brainwash the population and gain power.
Wells weaves his socialist ideals into the story, presenting a future where big business runs the world and people suffer under a dictatorship. Despite being the owner of everything, Graham has little control, and his wealth does not bring about positive change.
How to Maintain Your High While You Sleep
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
'When the Sleeper Wakes' is a science fiction story by H.G. Wells about a man who sleeps for 200 years and wakes up in a transformed London to find that he has become the richest man in the world due to compound interest on his bank accounts.
The narrator of the 'When the Sleeper Wakes' audio is Frederick Davidson.
Some key themes in 'When the Sleeper Wakes' include wealth accumulation, dictatorship, and social commentary on the future of big business and working conditions.
The title 'When the Sleeper Wakes' refers to the main character, Graham, who sleeps for 200 years and wakes up to a transformed world. The phrase "when the Sleeper wakes" is also used as a proverb in the story, signifying remote postponement.
