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| "The Flowering of the Strange Orchid" | |
|---|---|
| Short story by H.G. Wells | |
 The Flowering of the Strange Orchid by H.G. Wells, 1894. | |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction |
| Publication | |
| Published in | The Pall Mall Budget |
| Media type | |
| Publication date | 2 August 1894 |
"The Flowering of the Strange Orchid" is a short story by H. G. Wells first published in 1894 (2 August) in the Pall Mall Budget.[1] It was included in The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents, the collection of short stories by Wells first published in 1895, and the second story featured in this collection.
The story follows an orchid enthusiast, Winter-Wedderburn, with a penchant for collecting unusual plants and cultivating them in his "ambitious little hothouse."
Historical Background
editThe Flowering of the Strange Orchid reflects the scientific curiosity and imperialist ideologies of the late Victorian era. This period saw significant advancements in natural sciences, particularly in botany, influenced by figures like Charles Darwin. Darwin's work on orchids, which explored their unique pollination mechanisms, directly inspired the botanical aspects of the story. Wells's orchid collector protagonist embodies the era's fascination with exotic plants, a trend fueled by colonial expeditions that brought such specimens to Europe.[2]
The darker side of this fascination is also evident in the story. Victorian orchid hunters may have exploited indigenous populations and caused environmental harm. Wells critiques this exploitation subtly through the sinister nature of the titular orchid, which serves as a metaphor for the dangers of unbridled colonial ambition and the hubris of imposing human desires on nature.[3]
Plot Summary
edit
H.G. Wells' The Flowering of the Strange Orchid is a macabre tale about obsession, nature's mysteries, and humanity's vulnerability. The story follows Winter-Wedderburn, a reclusive amateur botanist with a penchant for unusual plants. He purchases a peculiar orchid bulb at an auction, drawn by its ominous history—discovered in a tropical jungle where its collector mysteriously died.
As the orchid blooms it reveals an otherworldly beauty but exudes an intoxicating, sinister perfume. Unknowingly to Winter-Wedderburn the plant is carnivorous and parasitic using its allure to ensnare its prey. Its toxic pollen begins to overpower him, drawing him into a deadly embrace. The story climaxes with Winter-Wedderburn's life hanging in the balance until his housekeeper, a practical and devoted woman, intervenes just in time by destroying the orchid and saving Winter-Wedderburn's life.
The tale concludes with Winter-Wedderburn recovering, slightly shaken but unrepentant, musing on the allure of the extraordinary despite its dangers. Wells juxtaposes humanity's curiosity and hubris with nature's untamed and lethal forces creating a chilling yet contemplative narrative.[3]
Further Reading
edit- Darwin, Charles, The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects, 1877.
- Clarke, Arthur C., ‘The Reluctant Orchid’, 1956. This short story cites ‘The Flowering of the Strange Orchid’ as inspiration, taking the essence of the original plot and developing it a little further.
- Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman.
- Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American horror comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about a florist's assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human blood.
- For more on the historical context, explore Charles Darwin's The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects.
External links
edit- The Flowering of the Strange Orchid in The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents (1904).
- The Flowering of the Strange Orchid in The Works of H. G. Wells (Atlantic Edition, 1924).
- The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents at Project Gutenberg.
- The Stolen Bacillus and Other Stories in the public domain audiobook at LibriVox.
References
edit- ^ "H. G. Wells bibliography", Wikipedia, 2024-12-03, retrieved 2024-12-09
- ^ Bryden, Leah (2020-09-15). "Botanicult Fiction: The Flowering of the Strange Orchid". Royal Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ a b generallygothic (2019-11-11). "The Ecstasy of Admiration: 'The Flowering of the Strange Orchid' Readalong". Generally Gothic. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
- ^ Botanicult Fiction: The Flowering of the Strange Orchid - Royal Botanical Gardens