In H. G. Wells' "The Time Machine," the author reflects on the disconnection that urban workers experience from nature due to their living conditions. This quote highlights the subsequent alienation of individuals who dwell in industrial environments, emphasizing the stark contrast between human life and the natural world.

Wells suggests that the artificial settings in which East-end workers reside create a barrier that isolates them from the earth's beauty and resources. Such a disconnect raises questions about the impact of industrialization on human existence and the fundamental need for a connection to nature.