The War of the Worlds: Chapter 2

For such a short chapter, it sure was exciting!

First off, go here to get your bearings regarding Horsell Commons. Wells wrote in a way that the locals could easily place themselves in the setting, but since we live across the pond, we sometimes need a little help doing that.

Next, go here to check out the sandpit.

I could totally see myself running to the sand pits to discover what had fallen to the earth. If I'd thought someone was inside, I would have wanted to help. I saw myself in a movie version of this chapter in my head as I read.

What about you?

What some of our members said:

"Who else got a super creepy vibe when they read: 'Something within the cylinder was unscrewing the top' on page 13?"

"I could definitely see myself running down there to see it and maybe to help the 'men/humans' that might be trapped inside. I can picture people bringing lunches and peddlers selling food and drink and any other thing they might feel could help them profit off the unexpected arrival. I find it very subtly creepy the way Wells is telling the story as a kind of “hindsight” - if only I knew then what I know now kind of thing. It is also easy to relate to, like how people now talk about where they were and what they were doing during a traumatic shared experience."

"I would have run to the site, and been standing on the rim of the crater. Only after the top started moving would it have dawned on me that this might not have been the wisest decision."

"I could picture it all in my mind. Seeing the shooting 'star', thinking about it in the night, going to the sand pit. I think the writing is amazing because at the end of the chapter the feeling of urgency is slowly building."