The Island of Dr. Moreau

by

H. G. Wells

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The Island of Dr. Moreau Symbols

The Beast Folk

Moreau’s Beast Folk and their self-contained island community provide a parallel to human society, specifically symbolizing the tension between each individual’s primal urges and their desire to act like civilized members of society. The…

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The Law

The Law represents religious authority and its critical role in maintaining order in human society (in Wells’s view). Moreau’s Law maintains order on the island by requiring the Beast Folk to resist their animalistic…

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Whips

Within the story, the whips function as the symbol of human authority over the Beast Folk. Although within the psyche of the Beast Folk Moreau is established as God, other humans still wield control…

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