The solution to a crossword clue referencing adversaries of the subterranean Morlocks in H.G. Wells’s novel The Time Machine is invariably “Eloi.” This refers to the childlike, surface-dwelling descendants of humanity encountered by the Time Traveller in the year 802,701. The relationship between the Eloi and the Morlocks is central to the novel’s exploration of social Darwinism and the potential consequences of class division.
Understanding this antagonistic relationship is crucial for interpreting the novel’s themes. The juxtaposition of the Eloi’s idyllic yet intellectually stagnant existence with the Morlocks’ technologically advanced but brutal lifestyle raises questions about the nature of progress and the potential pitfalls of unchecked societal stratification. The crossword clue itself serves as a compact reminder of this core conflict, prompting engagement with the deeper societal commentary embedded within the narrative.
