# The Selenite's Face explained — The First Men in the Moon

> Chapter companion for The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells.

## What happens

Bedford and Cavor awaken in darkness, bound hand and foot, and realize they have been captured by the Selenites. A door opens to reveal a Selenite whose alien face shocks Bedford, lacking a nose and ears, with bulging eyes and a downward-curved mouth. The creature observes them silently before closing the door, leaving them in darkness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alien Encounter and Communication

The first direct, face-to-face encounter with a Selenite highlights the profound otherness and incomprehensibility of alien life.

### Human Nature and Irrationality

Bedford's shock and horror at the Selenite's face reveal human instinctive fear of the unfamiliar and the limits of rational understanding.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Bedford

Awakens bound and frightened, struggles to recall events, and is horrified by the Selenite's appearance.

### Mr. Cavor

Also bound, groans from a headache, and is irritable; identifies that the Selenites have captured them.

### The Selenites

One Selenite enters the cell, revealing an alien face with no nose, bulging side eyes, and a downward-curved mouth; it observes the captives silently.

## Key lines

> I found myself sitting crouched together in a tumultuous darkness.

Bedford wakes up in a chaotic, pitch-black space, disoriented and confused.

_Opening line establishes the captives' helplessness._

> It seemed as though it wasn't a face, as though it must needs be a mask, a horror, a deformity, that would presently be disavowed or explained.

Bedford cannot accept the Selenite's face as real, thinking it must be a disguise or mistake.

_Highlights the psychological impact of encountering an alien being._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_first_men_in_the_moon_se/chapters/xii-the-selenite-s-face
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_first_men_in_the_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_first_men_in_the_moon_se/chapters