In H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine," the narrative contrasts two starkly different classes of society. The upper class, referred to as the Haves, live above ground in comfort and indulge in life's pleasures, such as beauty and ease. They represent a society that prioritizes enjoyment and luxury, seemingly detached from the realities of hard work and struggle.

Conversely, below ground exist the Have-nots, or the Workers, who are constantly adapted to the harsh conditions of their environment. This underground existence signifies their laborious life, where they lack the privileges enjoyed by the Haves. Wells illustrates a division within society that highlights the consequences of wealth disparity and the dehumanizing aspects of a class-based structure.