FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

Griffin, the invisible man, exhibits lawless behavior throughout the narrative. His actions
include arson, robbery, and resisting arrest, reflecting a disregard for societal norms. His
misuse of invisibility reveals a darker side, emphasizing the potential moral consequences of
unchecked scientific experimentation.
Q1. How did the invisible man first become visible?
The invisible man (Griffin) first became visible after he slipped into a big London store for
keeping warm and overslept there while wearing some clothes taken from the store. The
clothes made him visible to the shop assistants when the shop opened in the morning. To
escape from them, he had to shed all his clothes to become invisible again.
OR?
The invisible man, Griffin, became visible when he stepped in mud, leaving fresh footprints.
His transparent state resulted from a scientific experiment involving rare drugs that rendered
his body invisible but left impressions when interacting with the environment.
Q2. Why was he wandering the streets?
Though he was a brilliant scientist, he was a lawless person. His landlord disliked him and
wanted to evict Griffin. In revenge, he set fire to the house. To escape, he removed his
clothes, becoming invisible. Thus he became homeless and was wandering the streets of
London.

Why does Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?

Mrs Hall finds the scientist eccentric due to his uncommon appearance, desire for solitude,
and an accident that supposedly affected his face. His refusal to engage in conversation
adds to the perception of eccentricity. Also, it was uncommon for a stranger to arrive at the
inn in winters.
What curious episode occurs in the study?
Very early one morning, a clergyman and his wife were awakened by noises coming from
their study. Then they heard the sound of coins being taken from the desk there. However,
when they entered the study, they did not find anybody there, puzzling them as the stolen
money remains unaccounted for.
What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?
At the inn, Mrs Hall and her husband went into the scientist’s room on finding its door open.
However, he was not seen in the room, but Mrs Hall heard a sniff and the hat on the bedpost
leapt up and dashed into her face. Then the bedroom chair sprang into the air and pushed
them both out of the room. This made Mrs Hall think that her furniture was haunted.
Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Answer:
Griffin was not bothered if he had harmed anybody in the fulfilment of what he wanted. He
set his landlord’s house on fire because the landlord tried to make him leave. Then his
robberies at shops and later in the village indicate that he was a lawless person. When he
encountered the landlady of the inn, he threw a chair at her and her husband. Lawless
persons like Griffin never think about the safety and well-being of others. They are only
concerned about themselves.
How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Griffin is a brilliant scientist, as he discovers how to make himself invisible. But he seems to
enjoy the feeling of power which he gets out of his invisibility. The power to hurt anybody
without getting noticed can give sadistic pleasure to some people. A true scientist should
make discoveries for the larger benefit of society, not just for his own benefit.
OR
Griffin, as a scientist, demonstrates brilliance in achieving invisibility through
experimentation. However, his ethical lapses, lawless actions, and misuse of his discoveries
reflect a lack of responsibility and moral compass, overshadowing his scientific
achievements with a troubling and destructive trajectory.

LAQS

‘The mind is its own place, it can make heaven out of hell or hell out of heaven’, (Paradise Lost)
Justify the statement by citing examples from the story ‘Footprints Without Feet’.

In "Footprints Without Feet," the quote from "Paradise Lost" resonates with the
protagonist Griffin's journey. Initially, Griffin's scientific brilliance allows him to
achieve invisibility, presenting a form of heaven in his newfound power. However, the
narrative unfolds into a descent into moral chaos and lawlessness. Griffin's mind
transforms his extraordinary ability into a tool for mischief, exemplified by his arson,
robbery, and violent resistance against authorities. The once-promising scientific
achievement turns into a manifestation of hell as Griffin's actions lead to societal
disruption and personal isolation.

The protagonist's descent into darkness underscores the theme that the mind, when
unchecked, can shape one's reality and surroundings. Griffin's choices demonstrate
the duality of the human mind, capable of creating heaven or hell based on
individual decisions. His scientific prowess, instead of contributing to the betterment
of society, becomes a destructive force, illustrating the consequences of unbridled
ambition and unchecked power.

In conclusion, "Footprints Without Feet" vividly illustrates the transformative power

of the mind. Griffin's journey serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the pivotal role
one's choices play in shaping one's personal heaven or hell. The story highlights the
need for ethical considerations and responsibility in the pursuit of scientific
advancements to prevent the potential misuse and destructive outcomes that may
arise.