How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Looking round with a sudden thought, from a terrace on which I rested for a while, I realized that there were no small houses to be seen. Apparently the single house, and possibly even the household, had vanished. (4.17)
There is something curious about the notion of "community" in the future. As the Time Traveller discovers, the family unit no longer seems to exist, nor do cities or suburbs. The Time Traveller could invite friends over for dinner (thus creating community), but the Eloi can't because they all live together already. Does this mean that the Eloi have a tighter community than the Time Traveller? Wait, don't answer that until you've read the next quote.
Quote #5
It will give you an idea, therefore, of the strange deficiency in these creatures, when I tell you that none made the slightest attempt to rescue the weakly crying little thing which was drowning before their eyes. (5.22)
Even though they all live together, the Eloi do not seem to be the most caring of creatures. Whatever feeling of community they have is not strong enough to overcome their natural passivity.
Quote #6
For, by merely seeming fond of me, and showing in her weak, futile way that she cared for me, the little doll of a creature presently gave my return to the neighbourhood of the White Sphinx almost the feeling of coming home....(5.24)
It seems that emotion is just as important to community as intellect – if not more so. Who would you rather hang out with, Weena or one of the Time Traveller's dinner guests? Who do you think you would feel more comfortable around?