Shadows of the Coming Race
Shadows of the Coming Race is a novel by George Eliot that explores themes of social class and gender roles in Victorian England. The story follows the lives of several characters, including Maggie Tulliver, Tom Tulliver, and Philip Wakem, as they navigate their way through life's challenges.
By George Eliot · First published 1876 · Genre: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction · 2,242 words
First lines
My friend Trost, who is no optimist as to the state of the universe hitherto, but is confident that at some future period within the duration of the solar system, ours will be the best of all possible worlds -- a hope which I always honour as a sign of beneficent qualities -- my friend Trost always tries to keep up my spirits under the sight of the extremely unpleasant and disfiguring work by which many of our fellow-creatures have to get their bread, with the assurance that "all this will soon be done by machinery. " But he sometimes neutralises the consolation by extending it over so large an area of human labour, and insisting so impressively on the quantity of energy which will thus be set free for loftier purposes, that I am tempted to desire an occasional famine of invention in the coming ages, lest the humbler kinds of work should be entirely nullified while there are still left some men and women who are not fit for the highest.
What this Textopian page supports
Shadows of the Coming Race is listed on Textopian as a novel by George Eliot, dated 1876 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George Eliot
- Date: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Satire
- Length: 2,242 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Shadows of the Coming Race by George Eliot
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Shadows of the Coming Race?
- How does this novel by George Eliot fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores advanced technology and the potential evolution of machines, a hallmark of science fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into philosophical discussions about the future of humanity and technology, reflecting on existential themes.
- Speculative Fiction — The story speculates on future societal changes due to technological advancements, fitting the speculative fiction genre.
- Dystopian Fiction — The narrative presents a potentially dystopian future where machines surpass human capabilities, leading to societal decline.
Tags
utopia · dystopia · science fiction · philosophy · social commentary · evolution · race · humanity · technology · morality · society · future