Description
When the novel was written in 1896, there was much discussion in Europe about degeneration and animal vivisection. Interest groups were formed to address the issue: the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection was formed two years after the publication of the novel.The Island of Doctor Moreau is the account of one Edward Prendrick, a shipwrecked Englishman with a scientific education. A passing ship takes him aboard and a man named Montgomery revives him. The ship is bound for Noble's Isle. Prendrick also meets a grotesque bestial native named M'ling who appears to be Montgomery's manservant. In addition, the ship is transporting a number of animals which belong to Montgomery.As the ship approaches the island, the captain demands Prendrickleave the ship with Montgomery. However, Montgomery explains that he will not be able to host Prendrick either. Despite this, the captain leaves Prendrick in a dinghy, after unloading Montgomery and his animals and sails away. Seeing that the captain has abandoned Prendrick, Montgomery takes pity and rescues him. It is explained that ships rarely pass the island so Prendrick will be housed in an outer room of an enclosed compound. The island belongs to a Dr Moreau. Prendrick remembers that he has heard of Dr Moreau, formerly an eminent physiologist in London whose gruesome experiments in vivisection had been publicly exposed.