Footprints
without Feet
By H.G. Wells
Q: How did the invisible man first
become visible?
The invisible man, Griffin, first
becomes visible when he steps into the mud and leaves footprints that are
noticed by people. This is because although his body is invisible, the mud he
steps in sticks to his feet, revealing his presence.
Q: Why was he wandering the streets?
Griffin was wandering the streets
because he had burned down the house where he conducted his experiments. He was
homeless, without money, and trying to avoid being captured by the police or
seen by the public.
Q: Why does Mrs. Hall find the
scientist eccentric?
Mrs. Hall finds the scientist, Griffin,
eccentric because of his reclusive nature, his unusual appearance (bandages
covering his face), and his irritable and secretive behaviour. He often stayed
in his room, conducted strange experiments, and demanded privacy.
Q: What curious episode occurs in the
study?
A curious episode occurs when Mrs. Hall
enters Griffin’s room, which she finds empty, even though she hears sounds of
someone moving around. Objects start moving on their own, which frightens Mrs.
Hall and makes her think the room is haunted.
Q: What other extraordinary things
happen at the inn?
Other extraordinary events at the inn
include objects being thrown around by an unseen force, Griffin revealing his
invisibility to the townsfolk, and the ensuing chaos when people realize they
are dealing with an invisible man.
Q: “Griffin was rather a lawless
person.” Comment.
Griffin can be considered lawless
because he disregarded social norms and laws. He uses his invisibility to steal
money, attack people, and escape from authorities without any regard for the
consequences of his actions. His pursuit of scientific achievement comes at the
cost of ethical and moral considerations.
Q: How would you assess Griffin as a
scientist?
As a scientist, Griffin is undoubtedly
brilliant and innovative, having discovered the means to become invisible.
However, his lack of ethical responsibility, disregard for the consequences of
his actions, and the reckless application of his discoveries overshadow his
scientific accomplishments. His obsession with his experiments leads to
destructive and antisocial behaviour.
Q: Would you like to become invisible?
What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee, if you did?
Becoming invisible could have
advantages such as the ability to observe situations unnoticed, escape danger,
or access restricted areas. However, it also presents significant
disadvantages, including the loss of normal social interactions, the ethical
implications of invading privacy, and the potential for misuse of such a power.
Being invisible might lead to isolation and difficulties in leading a normal
life.
Q: Are there forces around us that are
invisible, for example, magnetism? Are there aspects of matter that are
‘invisible’ or not visible to the naked eye? What would the world be like if
you could see such forces or such aspects of matter?
Yes, there are invisible forces such as
magnetism, gravity and electromagnetic waves. Many aspects of matter, such as
atoms and molecules, are not visible to the naked eye. If we could see these
forces and aspects, the world would look vastly different. We might see fields
of energy around magnets, the flow of air currents, or the interactions between
subatomic particles. This enhanced perception could revolutionize science and
technology, but it might also overwhelm our senses and complicate our understanding
of everyday experiences.
Q: What makes glass or water
transparent (what is the scientific explanation for this)? Do you think it
would be scientifically possible for a man to become invisible, or transparent?
(Keep in mind that writers of science fiction have often turned out to be
prophetic in their imagination!)
Glass and water are transparent because
their molecules do not absorb visible light; instead, they allow light to
through with minimal scattering. For a man to become invisible, his body would
need to bend light around it or become transparent in a similar manner. While
current scientific understanding does not support the feasibility of such a
transformation in the way depicted in fiction, advancements in material science
and optics could potentially lead to the technologies that mimic invisibility
to some extent, such as cloaking devices. Science fiction often inspires real
scientific breakthroughs, so the idea of invisibility remains an intriguing
possibility for the future.
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