Background knowledge to deeply understand ‘The Lost World’ by Arthur Conan Doyle
Victorian Era and its Impact on the Novel
Arthur Conan Doyle wrote ‘The Lost World’ during the Victorian era (1837-1901), a period of significant scientific advancements, industrial revolution, and expansion of the British Empire. The Victorian era’s fascination with exploration, scientific discovery, and the natural world is evident throughout the novel. The story reflects the Victorian spirit of adventure and the belief in the power of scientific inquiry to uncover the mysteries of the world. The rapid growth of scientific knowledge during this time, including the development of Darwin’s theory of evolution, also influenced the novel’s themes and characters. The Victorian obsession with classification and categorization of the natural world is reflected in Challenger’s meticulous documentation of the flora and fauna of the Lost World.
Influence of Real-Life Explorers and Expeditions
‘The Lost World’ was inspired by real-life explorers and expeditions of the time. Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who disappeared in the Amazon rainforest in 1925 while searching for a lost city, is believed to be one of the inspirations for the character of Professor Challenger. Other explorers like Henry Morton Stanley, famous for his exploration of Africa and his search for David Livingstone, might have also served as models for the novel’s characters. The accounts of expeditions to remote and unexplored regions, such as the Amazon rainforest and the mountains of South America, provided Doyle with a wealth of material for crafting his fictional Lost World.
Contemporary Scientific Debates and Discoveries
The novel engages with contemporary scientific debates and discoveries, particularly in the fields of paleontology and evolutionary biology. The discovery of dinosaur fossils during the Victorian era sparked public interest in prehistoric life, and Doyle capitalized on this fascination by populating his Lost World with dinosaurs and other extinct creatures. The debate between evolution and creationism, which was raging during Doyle’s time, is also alluded to in the novel. The presence of prehistoric creatures in a remote and isolated location allows Doyle to explore the idea of evolutionary “missing links” and the possibility of different evolutionary paths in isolated environments.
Literary Genre and Narrative Style
‘The Lost World’ falls under the genre of Lost World fiction, a subgenre of adventure fiction and science fiction that features the discovery of a hidden world, often populated by prehistoric creatures or lost civilizations. This genre often incorporates elements of travel literature, natural history, and adventure narratives. Doyle’s narrative style in ‘The Lost World’ is characterized by its fast-paced action, vivid descriptions, and a blend of scientific observation and imaginative speculation. The novel is narrated from the perspective of Edward Malone, a young journalist who accompanies Challenger on the expedition, allowing Doyle to present the story through the eyes of an outsider who is both awestruck and skeptical of the incredible discoveries.
Imperialism and Colonialism
The novel’s setting in South America reflects the era’s colonial expansion and the European fascination with the exotic and unknown lands. The portrayal of indigenous people in the Lost World reflects the prevailing colonial attitudes of the time, often depicting them as primitive and savage. The expedition’s interaction with the indigenous tribes can be interpreted as a reflection of the power dynamics and cultural clashes that characterized the colonial encounters between Europeans and indigenous populations. The novel’s exploration of the themes of dominance and exploitation can be seen as a commentary on the colonial enterprise, albeit a complex and ambiguous one.
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