Bill Masen - The protagonist, a biologist who studies the triffids. He is temporarily blinded by a triffid sting, causing him to miss the catastrophic meteor shower that blinds most of humanity. As one of the few sighted survivors, he must navigate the post-apocalyptic world and make difficult moral choices for survival.

Josella Playton - A young woman who becomes Bill's love interest. She is also one of the few sighted survivors and joins Bill on his journey to find safety and rebuild society.

Wilfred Coker - A wealthy businessman who forms one of the first survivor groups in London, assigning sighted people to lead and care for the blind.

Michael Beadley - The leader of a community on the Isle of Wight that practices "free love" and focuses on education and procreation to rebuild civilization.

Miss Durrant - The leader of a Christian survivor group that emphasizes preserving traditional morals and gender roles.

Developed by Perplexity AI

Humanity's Hubris and Overreliance on Technology
The novel critiques humanity's overconfidence in science and technology, which ultimately leads to the catastrophic events that unfold. The triffids themselves are a product of genetic engineering gone wrong, while the global blindness is caused by a man-made satellite mishap. Wyndham suggests that unchecked scientific advancement without ethical considerations can have disastrous consequences.

Societal Collapse and Rebuilding
After the majority of the population is blinded, society rapidly breaks down into chaos and anarchy. The novel examines how different groups attempt to rebuild communities and establish new social orders in the post-apocalyptic world, some more successfully than others. It raises questions about the foundations of civilization and what is required for a functioning society.

Man vs. Nature Conflict
The triffids, a dangerous species of mobile, venomous plants, represent the threat of an indifferent and hostile natural world. Their ability to adapt and thrive in the changed environment highlights the fragility of human dominance over nature. The novel explores the struggle for survival against this formidable natural enemy.

Morality and Human Nature
As the characters navigate the collapsed world, they are forced to confront moral dilemmas and question the boundaries of acceptable behavior for survival. The novel examines how extreme circumstances can reveal both the best and worst aspects of human nature.v

Wyndham's novel is a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of humanity's technological ambitions and disregard for the natural world. It explores themes of societal breakdown, morality, and the resilience of human nature in the face of catastrophic events.

Developed by Perplexity AI

The novel touches on several themes relevant to its post-WWII British context, including the potential dangers of scientific and technological advancement, the politics of decolonization, and the emergence of the welfare state. While some critics dismissed it as a "cosy catastrophe" lacking serious ideas, others praised its social commentary and ability to unsettle readers by making the ordinary seem menacing.

Many science fiction writers have cited The Day of the Triffids as an influential work, with Arthur C. Clarke calling it an "immortal story". Its iconic scenes, such as the protagonist waking up in a deserted hospital, have left a mark on post-apocalyptic fiction and film. Overall, the novel's blend of horror, suspense, and social critique has cemented its status as a landmark work of 20th century science fiction.

Developed by Perplexity AI