Footprint without Feet
Reference Questions
1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person” comment.
It is accurate to say that Griffin was a lawless individual. A person who adheres
to the law and order of the country would not consider damaging others'
property. However, Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house and became a homeless
wanderer. He also robbed a shopkeeper of all the money he could find and stole
housekeeping money from a clergyman's desk. Additionally, he attacked Mrs.
Hall when she entered his room. These actions and instances clearly
demonstrate that he was not a law-abiding citizen.
2.How would you assess Griffin as Scientist?
Griffin, a brilliant scientist, discovered the formula for invisibility, a major
scientific breakthrough. However, he misused it for personal gain and took
sadistic pleasure in harming others. Despite his talent, Griffin was not a noble
scientist contributing to society's good but exploited his discovery for selfish
purposes, unlike a true scientist who aims to benefit society.
3. What did Griffin do in the shop of a theatrical company?
Griffin tried the stock of a theatrical company in the hope of finding not only
clothes but also something like side whiskers, glasses, false nose, bandages, hat,
etc. that would hide the empty space above his shoulders. He came out of the
shop wearing bandages around his head, dark glasses, false nose, big bushy side
whiskers and a large hat.
4. What extraordinary things happened at the inn?
The landlord and his wife found the scientist's door open, but he was missing.
Suddenly, Mrs. Hall heard a sniff and saw the hat on the bedpost leap up and
dash into her face. The chair in the room began moving on its own, infuriating
people. These extraordinary events at the inn left everyone furious and
bewildered.
5. Why did Mrs. Hall find the scientist eccentric?
Mrs. Hall finds the scientist eccentric due to his uncommon appearance, with
bandages around his forehead, dark glasses, a false nose, big bushy side-
whiskers, and a large hat. He expressed a desire for solitude, stating he did not
wish to talk to anyone, and his arrival at the inn during winter, an unusual time
for visitors, added to her perception of him.
6. What was the curious episode that happened in the clergyman's house?
The curious incident that occurred was that the clergyman and his wife were
awakened by noises coming from the study. They could hear the chink of money
being taken from the desk. But when they opened the door they found nobody
in the room.
7. What did the Halls see in the scientist’s room?
One day, the Halls got up early and were surprised to see the scientist’s room
door open, as it was usually shut and locked. Seizing the opportunity, they went
inside to investigate since they saw no one around. Inside, they found the
bedclothes cold and his clothes and bandages lying loose. Suddenly, they heard
a sniffing sound, even though no one was visible. The Halls got terrified and
decided to leave the scientist’s room.
Long Answer Type Questions:
1. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist and a human being? What
qualities or values would you suggest will make him a better person?
Griffin was an eccentric scientist who discovered a rare drug that made him
invisible. However, he used this ability not for the welfare of society but to satisfy
his own ego and engage in sinister activities. Although he was a brilliant
scientist, he was not law-abiding and had no respect for humanity. He stole
money from the clergyman's house and set the landlord's house on fire. Griffin
was also rude to everyone and reacted violently when asked about his secret,
hitting people and escaping by becoming invisible. I would advise Griffin to
develop qualities like empathy, kindness, helpfulness, honesty, generosity, and
social responsibility. These values would make him a better person. He should
have used his discovery for the benefit of society and his country.
2.Griffin was his own enemy. What typical traits of his character led to his
downfall? Mention some of the values he should have possessed.
Answer: Griffin was truly his own enemy. He was short-tempered, violent and
lawless. Being a person prone to anger, and a scientist, proved to be a dangerous
combination. He would attack without provocation, as he did the Drury Lane
shopkeeper. Despite being invisible, he was careless enough to be ‘discovered’
stealing at the clergyman’s house. Thus, all these character flaws, i.e.,
mysterious anger, aggression, hostility, annoyance and uncontrolled behavior
led to his downfall.
3.Give a character-sketch of Griffin. Why did his discovery of invisibility make
the brilliant scientist a lawless person who brought sufferings to himself and the
people around him?
Griffin, a brilliant scientist, achieved the astounding ability to make the human
body invisible through extensive experimentation. However, he misused this
discovery for personal gain, resorting to theft, burglary, and violence. His use of
scientific progress demonstrates how such advancements can be misused or
negatively impacted. Rather than using his talents for the greater good and
earning respect, Griffin's actions led him into lawlessness and chaos. His descent
into homelessness and exposure, enduring freezing conditions to maintain
invisibility, resulted in dishonor rather than the recognition he could have
attained. Thus, Griffin's story serves as a cautionary tale on the misuse of
scientific innovation and its consequences on both the individual and society.
**************************
