Herbie Murray
H.G. Wells' 1899 novel 'When the Sleeper Wakes' is a dystopian tale of a man who falls into a 203-year sleep and wakes up to a vastly different world. The story follows Graham, a 19th-century insomniac who, in search of relief, takes a drug that induces a coma, only to awaken in the year 2100. During his sleep, Graham's wealth has grown exponentially, and he discovers that he is now the richest man in the world. However, his dreams of a better future are shattered as he finds himself in a world of oppression and a twisted aristocracy, funded by his own wealth. The novel explores themes of power, revolution, and the dark side of progress, showcasing Wells' ability to create a foundational work of speculative fiction that continues to influence the genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first publication | 1899 |
| Author | H.G. Wells |
| Genre | Dystopian science fiction |
| Publication format | Serial, book |
| Main character | Graham |
| Plot | Man sleeps for 203 years, wakes up in a transformed London and is now the richest man in the world |
| Themes | Wealth, power, revolution, social hierarchy, unintended consequences |
| Narrative style | First-person perspective of Graham |
| Inspiration | "A Story of the Days to Come" (1897) by H.G. Wells |
| Adaptations | None, but inspired films such as Sleeper (1973) and books like John Jones' Dollar (1914) |
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What You'll Learn
Graham falls asleep for 203 years
In H.G. Wells' 1899 novel, *When the Sleeper Wakes*, Graham, an 1890s radical pamphleteer, falls into a deep sleep for 203 years. Graham's story begins in Cornwall, where he is suffering from insomnia. He is taken in by a man named Isbister, who offers him shelter. However, before Isbister can summon medical help, Graham falls into a coma—a cataleptic trance.
For two centuries, Graham remains in this state, becoming a public wonder, often "on display". During this time, the world changes drastically, with technological advancements and the emergence of new forms of media. When Graham finally awakens, he finds himself in a transformed world, disoriented and struggling to comprehend the changes that have taken place. He discovers that he has become the richest man on Earth, as his wealth has compounded and been used to establish a vast political and economic world order.
The people around him are alarmed by his awakening, as they had not expected him to wake up. Graham learns that he is now the owner of everything, but his world, culture, and dreams are long gone, replaced by an oppressed slave nation and a twisted aristocracy funded by his wealth. He is regarded as a figurehead, and the people look to him for leadership and revolution against the ruling powers.
As Graham navigates this new world, he encounters richly dressed individuals and grand architectural forms, indicating a stark contrast between the upper-class elites and the exploited masses. He hears a multitude of voices and sees banners and objects being thrown in the air, suggesting a sense of unrest or celebration. As he continues his journey, Graham discovers the extent of the changes that have taken place during his long sleep, and he must adapt to this unfamiliar and dystopian future.
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He wakes up to a transformed London
In H.G. Wells' 1899 novel, When the Sleeper Wakes, Graham, a man from 1890s Cornwall, falls into a 203-year sleep. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a transformed London.
Graham discovers that he has become the richest man in the world. His wealth has been used to establish a vast political and economic world order, with a "White Council" at the helm. The world he wakes up to is dystopian, with a hierarchical, sterile society, and vast future cityscapes. It is a place of dire economic struggle, with a clear distinction between the elite, who live in the upper reaches, and the exploited masses, who sleep in the Underground.
The London that Graham wakes up to is almost unrecognizable. He is disoriented and alarmed, and the people around him are equally shocked by his awakening. The world has changed drastically during his long sleep, and he has to adjust to a new reality where his wealth and influence have shaped a future revealed to him in all its horrors and malformities.
The Sleeper Awakes, the revised version of the novel published in 1910, presents a more updated vision of the future, including "flying machines." Wells himself acknowledged the haste in which the original novel was written, and the 1910 edition allowed him to improve certain "clumsy phrases and repetitions" and remove signs of any love interest between characters.
The novel is a prophetic and influential work of dystopian science fiction, portraying a world that has changed beyond recognition. It explores themes of power, wealth, and the dark side of progress, where technology and mass media can be used for thought control.
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Graham is now the richest man in the world
In H.G. Wells' 1899 novel, 'When the Sleeper Wakes', Graham is the richest man in the world. Graham, an 1890s radical pamphleteer, falls into a 203-year sleep-like trance in Cornwall. When he wakes, he discovers that he has become the wealthiest person on the planet. Graham's money has been managed by trustees, known as the "White Council", who have used his fortune to establish a vast political and economic world order.
Upon awakening, Graham finds himself in a transformed world. His wealth has grown exponentially during his long sleep, and he now owns everything. However, his world, culture, and dreams are long gone, replaced by an oppressive slave nation and a twisted aristocracy funded by his wealth. Graham is now a figurehead, and the people of this new world look to him for leadership and revolution against the White Council.
Graham's newfound wealth and status as the richest man in the world give him immense power and influence. He inherits not just money but also the industries and political entities of half the world, establishing a plutocracy that sweeps away parliament and the monarchy. Graham's wealth has shaped the future, creating a dystopia that he must now navigate and attempt to change for the better.
As the richest man, Graham possesses resources and influence beyond anyone else in this new world. His wealth has bought him political power, and the people see him as a messiah who can lead them to a better future. Graham's wealth has also brought him captivity, as he is now a prisoner of his own fortune, with everyone seeking to control or exploit him for their gain.
Graham's status as the richest man in the world sets him apart from everyone else and gives him a unique perspective on this transformed society. He must now use his wealth and influence to navigate this unfamiliar world, fight against opposing forces, and strive to restore order and values that serve the people's best interests.
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The White Council wants Graham dead
In the 1899 dystopian novel *When the Sleeper Wakes* by H.G. Wells, Graham, a Victorian man, falls into a sleep-like trance and wakes up 203 years later in a transformed London. Graham discovers that he has become the richest man in the world, and that his wealth has been managed by trustees known as the "White Council".
Graham, disoriented and unsure of whom to trust, reluctantly joins the rebels. He soon finds himself at the center of a revolution, with workers marching against the White Council's oppressive rule. During the march, the state police attack the revolutionaries, and in the chaos, Graham is separated from the group. He encounters an old man who reveals to him the truth about the "Sleeper" and the White Council's nefarious actions.
The old man explains that the Sleeper is a mythical figure, a symbol used by the White Council to manipulate and control the population. While Graham was asleep, the White Council used his wealth to buy up industries and gain political influence worldwide, establishing a plutocracy and overthrowing existing governments, including parliament and the monarchy. The old man's revelations underscore the White Council's determination to maintain their power and control, even if it means eliminating Graham.
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A revolution against the White Council
In the novel When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells, Graham, the sleeper, wakes up after sleeping for 203 years to find himself in a transformed world. He is now the richest man in the world, and his wealth has been used by the trustees, the White Council, to establish a vast political and economic world order.
The people of this new world are oppressed and enslaved, and a revolution is brewing. The workers, led by the revolutionary Ostrog, are rising up against the White Council. Graham, unsure of who to trust, joins the revolution. He attends a gathering of workers preparing for the revolution and marches with them against the White Council. However, the march is attacked by the state police, and Graham gets separated from the group.
During the confusion, Graham meets an old man who tells him about the evils of the White Council. The old man reveals that the White Council has used the Sleeper's wealth to buy up industries and political entities worldwide, establishing a plutocracy and overthrowing existing governments, including Parliament and the monarchy in Great Britain. He also expresses skepticism about the existence of the Sleeper, believing that the Sleeper is a fictional figure used by the Council to manipulate the population.
Despite the attack by the state police, the revolutionaries ultimately gain the upper hand. Graham and Ostrog reunite, and the people demand that the Sleeper, Graham himself, should rule. Ostrog becomes the true leader, while Graham serves as a figurehead, content to live a life of leisure and pursue his interest in aviation.
This revolution against the White Council is a pivotal moment in the novel, as it showcases the oppressive nature of the new world order and the desire of the people to reclaim their freedom. It also highlights the power dynamics between the different factions and sets the stage for Graham's role as a leader, even if only symbolically.
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Frequently asked questions
"When the Sleeper Wakes" is a dystopian novel about a man who falls asleep and wakes up 203 years later to a very different world.
The main character in "When the Sleeper Wakes" is Graham, a Victorian man who falls asleep in the late 19th century and wakes up in the late 21st to early 22nd century.
When Graham wakes up, he discovers that he has inherited huge wealth and that his money has been put into a trust. He also finds himself in the midst of a revolution, with workers rising up against the "White Council" that has enslaved them.
The "White Council" is a group of trustees who have used Graham's wealth to establish a vast political and economic world order while he was asleep. They are the main antagonists of the novel, as they control most of the world and have abolished the existing world order, including parliament and the monarchy.
The title "When the Sleeper Wakes" refers to the main character Graham, who sleeps for 203 years and wakes up to a completely transformed world. The title also has a broader significance within the novel, as it signifies the disruption of the established order and the potential for change.
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