FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

THEME:
The theme of this story 'Footprint Without Feet' is that power without responsibility can be
disastrous. The power of invisibility came to a selfish and ill-tempered Griffin who misused it
by breaking law. He stole clothes, food, money and hurt innocent people to escape when
they tried to catch him. Hence, the story develops the idea that a man of Science can have
immense potential but it can be chaotic if it is put to destructive use. All inventions must
therefore be monitored and developed for the good of society and not for the benefit of any
specific individual.

TITLE:
The title of the story 'Footprints Without Feet', is about an invisible scientist whose footprints
can be seen but his feet are unseen. The element of mystery inherent in the invisibility of the
scientist is aptly conveyed by the title. It arousers the curiosity of the reader regarding the
occurrence of footprints without feet. Thus it encourages the reader to read the story and
find out the mystery of the missing feet.
The title also builds the gripping, mysterious and interesting environment of the story that
follows it. Thus, the title 'Footprints Without Feet' justifiable conveys the chief elements of the
story.

MESSAGE
Through the story 'Footprints Without Feet' the writer wants to convey the message that
absolute power corrupts and should always be given to the responsible ones only. Besides,
every achievement should be accompanied by a deep sensor of responsibility and
commitment. The writer describes the life of Griffin to tell that scientists can make life easier
and better with the help of their inventions. But, if these intelligent minds fall on the
destructive path the damage caused would be immense.

QUESTION / ANSWER:
1. "Griffin was rather a lawless person". Comment.
Ans. Griffin was rather a lawless person. He Set Fire to a house which did not belong to him.
He took away clothes from the store without paying for anything. He hit A shopkeeper and
dropped him of his money. He is told money from the Clergyman's desk. When Mr Jaffers,
the village constable, came to arrest him he knocked him unconscious.

2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist ?

Ans. No doubt, Griffin was a brilliant scientist. He invented a way to make the human body
transparent. It was not a small achievement. Yet he failed to put his invention to constructive
use. A good scientist should serve mankind with his discoveries or inventions. But in the
present case, the scientist became a nuisance for the people around.
ADDITIONAL QUESTION:
1. Give a short description of Griffin in 100 to 120 words.
Griffin is a brilliant and hard working scientist who carries out endless experiments to
discover the formula of invisibility. He finally succeeds in finding a rare drug to achieve this
end. However, he is a lawless man without any conscience. As a result, he misuses his
discovery to scare and rob people. He commits theft in London and in the remote town of
Iping. He has little regard for the rules and regulations. He is short-tempered, eccentric,
irritable and callous in his behaviour and towards others. He burns his landlady's house out
of revenge and sternley rude to Mrs Hall, the landlady of the inn at Iping. He does not
hesitate to pounce blows at villages in Iping and also commits theft at the clergyman's
house. These evil aspects of his character make him a villain who is hated by everyone.