Footprints without Feet

H G Wells

About the Author

H G Wells (1866-1946) is best remembered

for his science fiction novels and has been
called the "father of science fiction.”

Introduction

The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, a scientist who has
devoted himself to research into optics and who invents a way to change a body's refractive index to
that of air so that it neither absorbs nor reflects light. He carries out this procedure on himself and
renders himself invisible, but fails in his attempt to reverse it.

Theme/Message
The story ‘Footprints without Feet’ describes the story of a brilliant scientist, Griffin, who
degenerated himself into a lawless person. Griffin discovered that the human body could become
transparent and invisible. But, he misused his great discovery. He did not use the power of invisibility
for the welfare of society and humanity at large. He misused it to threaten, trouble and beat innocent
people and rob them. He made illegal entries in stores and shops and stole things from there. He
committed a burglary in a clergyman’s house in Iping.

The lesson gives a message that misuse of science and its great discoveries can make even a brilliant
scientist like Griffin a monster and a threatening, lawless person.

Answer the following questions

1. Why was Griffin wandering the streets?

Though he was a brilliant scientist, Griffin was a lawless person. His landlord disliked him and wanted
to evict him. In revenge, Griffin set fire to the house. He had to remove his clothes to get away
without being seen. Thus, he became a homeless wanderer—without clothes and money.

2. Why does Mrs. Hall find the scientist eccentric?

The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in itself a strange occurrence. In addition, the stranger
had an uncommon appearance. In spite of Mrs. Hall’s attempts to be friendly, he would respond in a
cold manner. He rebuffed her by saying that he had no desire to talk, and that all he wanted was
solitude. He did not wish to be disturbed in his work. For all these reasons, she regarded him as an
eccentric scientist.

3. What curious episode occurred in the study?

A clergyman and his wife were awakened very early in the morning by noises coming from the study.
They crept downstairs and heard the chink of money being taken from the clergyman’s desk. With a
poker grasped firmly in his hand, the clergyman hoped to surprise the thief. However, it was he who
was surprised when he found the room to be empty. He and his wife looked under the desk, behind
the curtains, and even up the chimney. There was nobody there. Yet the desk had been opened and
the housekeeping money was missing. It was a curious episode, and the clergyman kept saying the
words “extraordinary affair” for the rest of the day.

4. Describe Griffin’s adventures in the London store.

Griffin swallowed certain rare drugs and became invisible. He then set fire to his landlord’s house.
But he had to remove his clothes. It was the middle of winter. The air was very cold. He managed to
enter a London store before the closing time. He broke open boxes and wrappers and took out some
clothes and wore them. He was feeling hungry. Hence, he went into the kitchen and helped himself
with cold meat and coffee, sweets and wine. Then he lay on a pile of quilts. The next morning, he did
not get up in time. When the shop assistants reached, they found Griffin sleeping on quilts. He woke
up and tried to run away with the servants running after him. Griffin again took off his clothes one by
one, became invisible and was able to save himself.
HOTS (Attempt any two, Qn 4 mandatory)

1. Griffin’s great discovery did not make him a popular and respectable person . Explain with

instances from the text. Was he a disaster for himself and for society?
2. Scientists contribute to make the world a better place. Griffin is an antithesis to

this statement. Justify.

3. Describe Griffin’s encounter with the village constable Jaffers. Why did nobody lay his hands

on Griffin?
4. Griffin’s unlawful activities devalue his scientific discovery. He was his own enemy. What

typical traits of his character led to his downfall? Mention some of the values he should have
possessed.

Lawless
Eccentric
Arrogant
Impatient, irritable, violent, short-tempered
Brilliant scientist
Cruel/ruthless/evil
Cold-hearted
Disrespectful
Lonely
Vengeful/vindictive
Aggressive
Ungrateful
Selfish/egoistic
Crook
Dishonest
Provocative/restless
weird
Great, brilliant scientist, but a lawless one
 Illegal acts, stole things and attacked people
Quick tempered and ferocious
Cold hearted
His inventions created chaos – a threat to society.
Eccentric, dishonest and selfish with a criminal mind with no sense of responsibility
Agile

Eccentric scientist
Irritable temper and strange habits.
Lawlessness/unlawful activities
Uncontrolled behaviour
Aggressive
Malevolent
Self-centered - he used science for his own benefits and not for the welfare for the society.
Vengeful/vindictive - He was driven by the desire to take revenge
Egoistic, hostile and provocative
Typical behaviour of a thief
Impatient
Intolerant
Ungrateful, greedy for money, power and fame, heedless
Became his own enemy
A disaster to himself and society.