Particularly nauseous were the blank expressionless faces of people in trains and omnibuses; they seemed no more my fellow-creatures than dead bodies would be, so that I did not dare to travel unless I was assured of being alone.
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In H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau," the narrator expresses feelings of deep discomfort and alienation while observing the faces of fellow passengers on public transport. The lifeless and emotionless expressions of people around him evoke a sense of nausea, making them appear as indifferent as corpses. This disconnection from others leads him to avoid travel unless he can ensure solitude, highlighting his struggle to connect with humanity.
This passage illustrates the protagonist's intense sense of otherness and his inability to relate to those around him. The simile comparing the passengers to dead bodies underscores a profound existential crisis, suggesting a world stripped of vitality and compassion. His yearning for solitude reflects a broader commentary on the isolation experienced within modern society.
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