Footprints Without Feet Solutions and Questions & Answers

Content Structure

1. About the author – Herbert George Wells
2. Summary of the story Footprints Without Feet
3. Word meanings
4. NCERT Solutions
- 4A. Think about it
- 4B. Talk about it
5. Extra Questions and Answers of the poem Footprints Without Feet
- 5A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- 5B. Fill in the blanks
- 5C. True and false
- 5D. One-sentence questions and answers
- 5E. Short Questions and Answers
- 5F. Long Questions and Answers

1. About the author – Herbert George Wells

Herbert George Wells (H.G. Wells) was a famous English writer, novelist, and social thinker, best known for his science fiction works. He was born on 21 September 1866 and died on 13 August 1946. H.G. Wells is often called the “Father of Science Fiction” because of his imaginative stories that explored scientific inventions and their impact on society. Some of his well-known works include The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau. His story Footprints Without Feet is based on the idea of invisibility and highlights how intelligence and scientific knowledge can become dangerous when used without moral responsibility. His writings continue to inspire readers with their creativity, adventure, and thought-provoking themes.

2. Summary of the story Footprints Without Feet

Footprints Without Feet is an interesting story written by H.G. Wells. It is about Griffin, a brilliant scientist who discovers a formula that can make a person invisible. To test his invention, he drinks the medicine himself and successfully becomes invisible. However, Griffin is not a responsible person. After a quarrel with his landlord, he sets his house on fire and leaves without money, food, or clothes. To survive, he enters a large store at night, steals clothes and food, and sleeps there. Later, he disguises himself with bandages, dark glasses, a false nose, and a large hat. He also steals money and decides to leave crowded London for the village of Iping. There, he stays at an inn and behaves strangely, making the villagers suspicious. When the innkeeper and his wife try to investigate him, Griffin becomes angry and creates chaos by throwing furniture around. A policeman named Mr. Jaffers arrives to arrest him, but Griffin removes his disguise and shocks everyone by revealing that he is invisible. Before anyone can catch him, he removes his clothes, becomes invisible again, and escapes. The story teaches that great intelligence without good character can be dangerous, as Griffin uses his scientific discovery for selfish and criminal purposes.

3. Word meanings

Word	Meaning
Brilliant	Very intelligent or clever
Invisible	Unable to be seen
Inadvertently	By accident; without intention
Fainter	Less clear or less visible
Landlord	The owner of a house or building rented to others
Vengeance	Punishment or revenge for a wrong done
Wandered	Moved about without a fixed destination
Bandages	Strips of cloth used to cover wounds or parts of the body
Suspicious	Feeling that something is wrong or dishonest
Constable	A police officer
Spectacles	Glasses worn to improve eyesight
Sustain	To keep oneself alive or continue living
Morality	Principles of right and wrong behaviour
Astonished	Very surprised

4. NCERT Solutions

4A. Think about it

1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Ans: Griffin was undoubtedly a brilliant scientist, but he was also a lawless and irresponsible person. Instead of using his scientific discovery for the welfare of society, he used it for selfish and criminal purposes. After his landlord asked him to leave the house, Griffin set the house on fire out of revenge. He stole clothes, food, and money whenever he needed them. He broke into shops and hotels and frightened innocent people. He showed no respect for laws or the rights of others. His actions prove that he lacked moral values and used his intelligence in the wrong way. Therefore, Griffin can rightly be described as a lawless person.

2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans: Griffin was an exceptionally talented and intelligent scientist. He successfully discovered a formula that could make a person invisible, which was an extraordinary scientific achievement. His experiment showed his creativity, determination, and deep knowledge of science. However, despite being a brilliant scientist, he lacked wisdom and moral responsibility. Instead of using his invention for the benefit of humanity, he used it for theft, revenge, and personal gain. A good scientist should use scientific knowledge for the welfare of society, but Griffin misused his discovery. Therefore, while he was a remarkable scientist, he was not a responsible one.

4B. Talk about it

1. Would you like to become invisible? What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee, if you did?
Ans: Becoming invisible would be an exciting experience. One advantage would be the ability to observe people and places without being noticed. It could help in gathering information, helping others secretly, or escaping from dangerous situations. It would also make travelling and exploration easier. However, invisibility would have many disadvantages. An invisible person might feel lonely because others could not see or interact with them normally. People might become suspicious or frightened. There could also be a temptation to misuse the power for dishonest purposes. Moreover, living an ordinary life would become difficult because invisible people could not easily communicate or participate in society. Therefore, while invisibility seems attractive, it could create many practical and moral problems.

2. 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?
Ans: Yes, many forces around us are invisible. Examples include magnetism, gravity, electricity, radio waves, and sound waves. We cannot see these forces, but we can observe their effects. Similarly, many aspects of matter, such as atoms, molecules, bacteria, and microscopic organisms, are invisible to the naked eye. If we could see these forces and tiny particles, the world would look very different. We might see magnetic fields surrounding magnets, electric currents flowing through wires, and countless microscopic organisms in the air and water. While this would help us understand nature better, it might also make the world appear crowded and confusing. Invisible forces play an important role in our lives even though we cannot see them.

3. 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!)
Ans: Glass and water are transparent because they allow most light to pass through them without scattering it significantly. When light passes through these substances, our eyes can see objects on the other side clearly. Their molecular structure does not block visible light, which makes them appear transparent. At present, it is not scientifically possible for a human being to become completely invisible like Griffin. The human body absorbs and reflects light, making it visible. However, modern scientists are researching special materials and technologies, such as camouflage systems and metamaterials, that can bend light around objects and make them less visible. Although complete invisibility remains a science-fiction idea, future scientific developments may bring us closer to achieving something similar. Science fiction often inspires real scientific discoveries, so what seems impossible today may become possible in the future.

5. Extra Questions and Answers of the poem Footprints Without Feet

5A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Who is the author of Footprints Without Feet?
a) Ruskin Bond
b) H.G. Wells
c) Robert Arthur
d) Victor Canning

Ans: (b) H.G. Wells

2. What was Griffin’s profession?
a) Doctor
b) Teacher
c) Scientist
d) Lawyer

Ans: (c) Scientist

3. What special discovery did Griffin make?
a) Time travel
b) Flying machine
c) Invisibility formula
d) Robot machine

Ans: (c) Invisibility formula

4. On whom did Griffin first test the invisibility drug?
a) A dog
b) His friend
c) Himself
d) A cat

Ans: (c) Himself

5. Why were Griffin’s footprints visible at first?
a) He wore shoes
b) His feet were muddy
c) He was injured
d) He painted them

Ans: (b) His feet were muddy

6. Who first noticed Griffin’s footprints?
a) Policemen
b) Shopkeepers
c) Two boys
d) Mrs Hall

Ans: (c) Two boys

7. Why did Griffin set his landlord’s house on fire?
a) For fun
b) To hide his experiment
c) Out of revenge
d) By accident

Ans: (c) Out of revenge

8. Where did Griffin spend the night after entering the London store?
a) On a chair
b) In a hotel room
c) On a pile of quilts
d) Under a table

Ans: (c) On a pile of quilts

9. What did Griffin eat in the store?
a) Fruits and juice
b) Cold meat and coffee
c) Bread and milk
d) Cake and tea

Ans: (b) Cold meat and coffee

10. Why did Griffin remove his clothes in the morning?
a) They were dirty
b) He wanted new clothes
c) To become invisible again
d) He felt hot

Ans: (c) To become invisible again

11. What did Griffin wear to disguise himself?
a) School uniform
b) Police uniform
c) Bandages and dark glasses
d) Doctor’s coat

Ans: (c) Bandages and dark glasses

12. What was false about Griffin’s appearance?
a) His ears
b) His beard
c) His nose
d) His eyes

Ans: (c) His nose

13. From whom did Griffin steal money?
a) Mrs Hall
b) A shopkeeper
c) A policeman
d) A farmer

Ans: (b) A shopkeeper

14. Why did Griffin leave London?
a) He disliked the city
b) It was too crowded
c) He got a job elsewhere
d) He wanted to travel

Ans: (b) It was too crowded

15. Which village did Griffin choose to stay in?
a) Epping
b) Iping
c) Reading
d) Dorking

Ans: (b) Iping

16. Where did Griffin stay in Iping?
a) A school
b) A church
c) A local inn
d) A hospital

Ans: (c) A local inn

17. Who was Mrs Hall?
a) Griffin’s sister
b) The innkeeper’s wife
c) A police officer
d) A doctor

Ans: (b) The innkeeper’s wife

18. Why were the villagers curious about Griffin?
a) He was rich
b) He looked strange
c) He was famous
d) He was a teacher

Ans: (b) He looked strange

19. Who was Mr Jaffers?
a) A scientist
b) A doctor
c) A constable
d) A lawyer

Ans: (c) A constable

20. Which quality was missing in Griffin’s character?
a) Intelligence
b) Courage
c) Morality
d) Knowledge

Ans: (c) Morality

21. What is the central theme of the story?
a) Adventure and travel
b) Friendship and trust
c) Misuse of scientific knowledge and power
d) Importance of wealth

Ans: (c) Misuse of scientific knowledge and power

22. Assertion: Griffin was a brilliant scientist.
Reason: He invented a formula to make a person invisible.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Ans: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

23. Assertion: Griffin was arrested by Mr Jaffers.
Reason: Griffin became invisible and escaped.
a) Both A and R are true.
b) Both A and R are false.
c) A is false, but R is true.
d) A is true, but R is false.

Ans: c) A is false, but R is true.

24. Assertion: The villagers were suspicious of Griffin.
Reason: His appearance and behaviour were unusual.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Ans: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

25. Assertion: Griffin used his discovery wisely.
Reason: He used invisibility for the benefit of society.
a) Both A and R are true.
b) Both A and R are false.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Ans: b) Both A and R are false.

5B. Fill in the blanks

1. Griffin was a brilliant __________. (scientist)
2. Griffin discovered a formula that could make a person __________. (invisible)
3. Griffin tested the invisibility drug on __________. (himself)
4. Griffin’s muddy __________ were first noticed by two boys. (footprints)
5. Griffin’s landlord asked him to leave the __________. (house)
6. Griffin entered a large London __________ to escape the cold. (store)
7. Griffin wore dark __________ to hide his identity. (glasses)
8. Griffin also wore a false __________. (nose)
9. Griffin travelled to the village of __________. (Iping)
10. Griffin stayed at a local __________ in Iping. (inn)
11. The wife of the innkeeper was __________ Hall. (Mrs)
12. Griffin spent most of his time locked inside his __________. (room)
13. When Griffin ran out of money, he started __________ again. (stealing)
14. Mr and Mrs Hall became suspicious of Griffin’s strange __________. (behaviour)
15. Griffin threw the __________ around the room in anger. (furniture)

5C. True or False

1. Griffin was an ordinary shopkeeper. (False)
2. Griffin invented a formula that could make a person invisible. (True)
3. Griffin first tested the invisibility drug on another scientist. (False)
4. Griffin stole food and clothes from the store. (True)
5. Griffin slept in a hotel after leaving the store. (False)
6. Griffin removed his clothes to become invisible again. (True)
7. Griffin wore bandages and dark glasses as a disguise. (True)
8. Griffin travelled to Paris after leaving London. (False)
9. Griffin stayed in the village of Iping. (True)
10. Griffin used his scientific knowledge for the welfare of society. (False)
11. The story highlights the misuse of science and power. (True)
12. Griffin’s intelligence was matched by strong moral values. (False)
13. The villagers were amazed by Griffin’s strange appearance. (True)
14. Griffin’s invisibility made his life completely easy and happy. (False)
15. The story teaches that power should be used responsibly. (True)

5D. One-sentence questions and answers

1. Who was Griffin? Why is he remembered in the story?
Ans: Griffin was a brilliant scientist who invented a formula that could make a person invisible and is remembered because he misused his extraordinary scientific discovery for selfish and criminal purposes instead of using it for the benefit of society.

2. How did Griffin become invisible?
Ans: Griffin became invisible after inventing a special drug that could make a person invisible and swallowing it himself, which made his body completely transparent.

3. Why is Griffin described as a lawless person?
Ans: Griffin is described as a lawless person because he set fire to his landlord’s house, stole food, clothes, and money, damaged property, frightened innocent people, and repeatedly broke the law without showing any sense of responsibility.

4. How were Griffin’s footprints discovered?
Ans: Griffin’s footprints were discovered after he accidentally stepped into muddy water, which caused the mud on his feet to leave visible footprints that two boys noticed and followed.

5. Why did Griffin enter the London store?
Ans: Griffin entered the London store because he was homeless, hungry, and suffering from the cold, and he wanted warm clothes, food, and a safe place to spend the night.

6. What did Griffin do after entering the London store?
Ans: Griffin wore warm clothes, ate cold meat, drank coffee, and slept comfortably on a pile of quilts after entering the London store because no one could see him.

7. Describe Griffin’s disguise.
Ans: Griffin disguised himself by wrapping bandages around his face and wearing dark glasses, a false nose, bushy side-whiskers, and a large hat, which completely hid his invisible appearance.

8. Why did Griffin move to Iping?
Ans: Griffin moved to the quiet village of Iping because living in crowded London had become difficult due to the problems caused by his invisibility, and he wanted to continue his experiments peacefully.

9. Why did the people of Iping become suspicious of Griffin?
Ans: The people of Iping became suspicious of Griffin because he always kept his face covered with bandages, avoided conversations, stayed inside his room, and behaved in a strange and secretive manner.

10. How did Griffin react when Mr and Mrs Hall entered his room?
Ans: Griffin reacted angrily when Mr and Mrs Hall entered his room by throwing furniture around the room, which frightened the innkeepers and increased their suspicion.

11. Why was Mr Jaffers called to the inn?
Ans: Mr Jaffers was called to the inn because Griffin had behaved suspiciously, damaged furniture, frightened the innkeepers, and was believed to be involved in mysterious thefts.

12. What happened when Griffin revealed his identity?
Ans: Griffin revealed his identity by removing his disguise in front of the villagers, who were shocked to find that no face was visible beneath it, before taking off his clothes, becoming invisible again, and escaping.

13. How did Griffin escape from the villagers and the constable?
Ans: Griffin escaped from the villagers and the constable by removing all his clothes and becoming completely invisible, which made it impossible for anyone to catch him.

14. What does the story teach about science and morality?
Ans: The story teaches that scientific knowledge should always be used responsibly because intelligence without morality can become dangerous and cause harm to society.

5E. Short Questions and Answers

1. Who was Griffin? Why is he remembered in the story?
Ans: Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a formula that could make a person invisible. He tested the formula on himself and became invisible. Although he was highly intelligent, he misused his scientific discovery for selfish and criminal purposes. He stole food, clothes, and money and frightened innocent people. Griffin is remembered for his extraordinary invention as well as for the irresponsible way in which he used it.

2. How did Griffin become invisible?
Ans: Griffin invented a special drug that had the power to make a person invisible. Confident about his discovery, he decided to test it on himself. After swallowing the drug, his body became transparent like glass and could not be seen by others. His experiment was successful, making him completely invisible and giving him powers that ordinary people did not possess.

3. Why is Griffin described as a lawless person?
Ans: Griffin is called a lawless person because he repeatedly broke the law and showed no respect for others. He set fire to his landlord’s house, stole food, clothes, and money, damaged property, and frightened innocent people. Instead of using his scientific discovery for good purposes, he used it to commit crimes and escape punishment. His actions prove that he lacked moral values and responsibility.

4. How were Griffin’s footprints discovered?
Ans: After becoming invisible, Griffin accidentally stepped into muddy water. As he walked through the streets, the mud on his feet left visible footprints on the ground. Two boys noticed these mysterious footprints appearing without any visible person. Curious about the strange sight, they followed the footprints until they gradually became faint and disappeared.

5. Why did Griffin enter the London store?
Ans: Griffin entered the London store because he was homeless, hungry, and suffering from the cold. Since he was invisible and had no money, he took advantage of the situation. He wore warm clothes, ate food from the store, and spent the night comfortably on a pile of quilts. The store provided him with shelter and protection from the harsh weather.

6. What did Griffin do after entering the London store?
Ans: After entering the London store, Griffin helped himself to everything he needed. He wore warm clothes to protect himself from the cold, ate cold meat and drank coffee, and finally settled down on a pile of quilts for the night. He enjoyed the comforts of the store without paying for anything because no one could see him.

7. Describe Griffin’s disguise.
Ans: To hide the fact that he was invisible, Griffin created a strange disguise. He wrapped bandages around his face, wore dark glasses, attached a false nose, added bushy side-whiskers, and put on a large hat. This disguise covered his invisible features and allowed him to move among people without immediately revealing his secret.

8. Why did Griffin move to Iping?
Ans: Griffin found it difficult to live in crowded London because his invisibility created many problems and attracted attention. He wanted a quieter place where he could live without being disturbed. Therefore, he travelled to the small village of Iping and rented rooms at a local inn, hoping to continue his experiments in peace.

9. Why did the people of Iping become suspicious of Griffin?
Ans: The villagers of Iping found Griffin’s appearance and behaviour very unusual. He kept his face covered with bandages, wore dark glasses, avoided conversations, and spent most of his time locked inside his room. He became angry whenever people questioned him. These strange habits made the villagers suspicious and curious about his true identity.

10. How did Griffin react when Mr and Mrs Hall entered his room?
Ans: When Mr and Mrs Hall entered his room to investigate, Griffin became extremely angry. He lost control of his temper and began throwing furniture around the room. Chairs and other objects appeared to move by themselves, terrifying the innkeepers. His violent reaction increased their suspicion and fear.

11. Why was Mr Jaffers called to the inn?
Ans: Mr Jaffers, the village constable, was called because Griffin’s behaviour had become suspicious and dangerous. He had damaged furniture, frightened the innkeepers, and was believed to be connected with mysterious thefts. Mrs Hall wanted the police to question him and find out the truth about his identity and activities.

12. What happened when Griffin revealed his identity?
Ans: When Griffin was confronted by the villagers and Mr Jaffers, he became angry and began removing his disguise. He took off his bandages, glasses, nose, and whiskers, shocking everyone. The villagers were terrified to discover that there was no visible face beneath the disguise. Griffin then removed his clothes, became invisible again, and escaped.

13. How did Griffin escape from the villagers and the constable?
Ans: Griffin escaped by taking advantage of his invisibility. After removing his disguise, he took off all his clothes and became completely invisible. Since nobody could see him, the villagers and Mr Jaffers were unable to catch him. In the confusion and panic that followed, Griffin successfully slipped away.

14. What does the story teach about science and morality?
Ans: The story teaches that scientific knowledge should always be used responsibly. Griffin’s discovery of invisibility was a remarkable achievement, but he misused it for selfish and criminal purposes. The story shows that intelligence without morality can be dangerous. Scientific inventions should benefit society rather than harm people.

15. What kind of person was Griffin?
Ans: Griffin was highly intelligent, ambitious, and creative, but he was also selfish, dishonest, and irresponsible. He lacked moral values and used his scientific knowledge for personal gain. Instead of helping others, he committed crimes and frightened innocent people. His character shows that intelligence alone cannot make a person truly great.

16. Why did Griffin remove his clothes after leaving the store?
Ans: The next morning, store employees began approaching Griffin. Realizing that he might be discovered, he quickly removed all the clothes he had stolen. Since his body was invisible, taking off the clothes made him disappear completely. This allowed him to escape from the store without being caught.

17. What difficulties did Griffin face because of his invisibility?
Ans: Although invisibility gave Griffin unusual powers, it also caused many difficulties. He could not wear clothes without becoming visible, suffered from cold weather, struggled to find food and shelter, and constantly attracted suspicion. Living a normal life became impossible because he had to keep hiding his true identity from others.

18. Why is Griffin both admirable and blameworthy?
Ans: Griffin is admirable because he was a brilliant scientist who achieved something extraordinary by discovering the secret of invisibility. However, he is blameworthy because he used his invention for selfish and criminal purposes. His lack of morality and responsibility turned a great scientific achievement into a source of trouble and fear for others.

5F. Long Questions and Answers

1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Justify the statement.
Ans: Griffin was a brilliant scientist, but he lacked moral values and respect for the law. After becoming invisible, he used his power for selfish purposes instead of helping society. When his landlord asked him to leave, Griffin set the house on fire in revenge. He stole food, clothes, and money whenever he needed them. He entered a London store illegally, robbed a shopkeeper, and frightened innocent people. In Iping, he damaged furniture and created chaos when people questioned him. He never showed regret for his actions and continued breaking the law whenever it suited him. Although he possessed extraordinary intelligence, he failed to use it responsibly. His criminal behaviour proves that he was a lawless person who misused his scientific discovery.

2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans: Griffin was an exceptionally talented scientist. His invention of a formula that could make a person invisible was a remarkable scientific achievement. It required intelligence, creativity, and determination. However, Griffin lacked wisdom and moral responsibility. Instead of using his discovery for the benefit of humanity, he used it for personal gain and criminal activities. He stole food, clothes, and money and frightened innocent people. His actions show that scientific knowledge alone is not enough; it must be guided by ethical values. Griffin’s success as a scientist was overshadowed by his misuse of science. Therefore, he can be regarded as a brilliant scientist but a poor human being who failed to understand the responsibilities that come with great power.

3. Describe Griffin’s experiences from the time he became invisible until he arrived at Iping.
Ans: After discovering the invisibility formula, Griffin tested it on himself and became invisible. While walking through the streets, he accidentally left muddy footprints, which attracted attention. Following a quarrel with his landlord, he set the house on fire and wandered without food, money, or clothes. Feeling cold, he entered a London store, where he stole clothes and food and spent the night. The next morning, he removed his clothes and became invisible again to escape detection. To protect himself from the cold, he stole clothes from a theatrical company and disguised himself with bandages, dark glasses, and a false nose. He also stole money from a shopkeeper. Realizing that crowded London was not a suitable place for him, he travelled to the village of Iping and rented rooms at a local inn.

4. Why did the people of Iping become suspicious of Griffin?
Ans: The people of Iping became suspicious of Griffin because of his strange appearance and behaviour. He arrived at the inn during winter with his face completely covered in bandages. He wore dark glasses, a false nose, and a large hat, making him look mysterious. Griffin rarely spoke to anyone and spent most of his time locked in his room. He became angry whenever people asked questions about him. Strange incidents such as thefts and mysterious movements of objects increased the villagers’ doubts. When Mr and Mrs Hall entered his room, furniture began flying around, frightening them. These unusual events convinced the villagers that Griffin was hiding something. As a result, they called the constable, Mr Jaffers, to investigate him.

5. What message does H.G. Wells convey through the story Footprints Without Feet?
Ans: Through Footprints Without Feet, H.G. Wells conveys the message that knowledge and power must be used responsibly. Griffin’s invention of invisibility was a remarkable scientific achievement, but he used it for selfish and criminal purposes. His actions caused fear, destruction, and suffering to others. The story shows that intelligence without morality can be dangerous. Scientific discoveries should benefit society rather than harm it. Wells also highlights the importance of honesty, responsibility, and self-control. Griffin’s downfall was not caused by his invention but by his misuse of it. Thus, the story teaches that character and ethics are just as important as intelligence and scientific knowledge.

1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Ans: Griffin was undoubtedly a brilliant scientist, but he was also a lawless and irresponsible person. After discovering the formula of invisibility, he did not use his knowledge for the welfare of society. Instead, he used it for selfish and criminal purposes. When his landlord asked him to leave the house, Griffin became angry and set the house on fire as an act of revenge. He stole clothes, food, and money whenever he needed them. He entered shops illegally, frightened innocent people, and damaged property. In Iping, he created chaos by throwing furniture around the room and threatening others. He never showed any regret for his actions and believed that his invisibility placed him above the law. Through Griffin’s character, the author shows that intelligence without morality can be dangerous. Therefore, Griffin is rightly described as a lawless person.

2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans: Griffin was an exceptionally talented and intelligent scientist. His invention of a formula that could make a person invisible was a remarkable scientific achievement. It demonstrated his creativity, determination, and deep understanding of science. However, despite his brilliance, Griffin lacked wisdom and moral responsibility. Instead of using his discovery for the benefit of humanity, he used it for theft, revenge, and personal gain. He stole food, clothes, and money and frightened innocent people. A truly great scientist not only makes discoveries but also uses them responsibly. Griffin failed in this respect. His misuse of science overshadowed his achievements and turned him into a criminal. Therefore, Griffin can be described as a brilliant scientist but an irresponsible human being who failed to use his knowledge wisely.

3. Describe Griffin’s experiences after becoming invisible.
Ans: After becoming invisible, Griffin experienced both advantages and difficulties. At first, he enjoyed the freedom that invisibility provided. However, he soon faced practical problems because he had no clothes, money, or shelter. He accidentally left muddy footprints, which attracted attention. After setting fire to his landlord’s house, he wandered through the streets feeling cold and hungry. To survive, he entered a London store, stole clothes and food, and spent the night there. Later, he stole a disguise from a theatrical company and robbed a shopkeeper of his money. Realizing that London was too crowded, he moved to the village of Iping. Although invisibility gave him special powers, it also made his life difficult and forced him to live in constant secrecy.

4. Why did the people of Iping become suspicious of Griffin?
Ans: The people of Iping became suspicious of Griffin because of his unusual appearance and behaviour. He arrived at the inn during winter with his entire face covered in bandages. He wore dark glasses, a false nose, and a large hat, making him look mysterious. He rarely spoke to anyone and spent most of his time locked in his room. Whenever people questioned him, he became rude and angry. Strange incidents such as thefts and mysterious movements of furniture further increased the villagers’ suspicions. Mr and Mrs Hall were especially worried because Griffin refused to explain himself. As the strange events continued, the villagers became convinced that he was hiding something important. This led them to call the constable, Mr Jaffers, to investigate him.

5. Give a character sketch of Griffin.
Ans: Griffin is the central character of the story. He is a highly intelligent and ambitious scientist who successfully discovers the secret of invisibility. His invention proves that he is creative, hardworking, and exceptionally talented. However, Griffin lacks honesty, kindness, and moral values. He is selfish and irresponsible and often uses his intelligence for personal gain. He steals food, clothes, and money, burns down his landlord’s house, and frightens innocent people. He becomes angry easily and refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. Instead of helping society with his discovery, he misuses it for criminal activities. Griffin’s character shows that intelligence alone is not enough to make a person great. Good character and moral responsibility are equally important.

6. What message does H.G. Wells convey through Footprints Without Feet?
Ans: Through Footprints Without Feet, H.G. Wells conveys the message that knowledge and power must be used responsibly. Griffin’s discovery of invisibility was a remarkable scientific achievement, but he misused it for selfish purposes. His actions caused fear, confusion, and suffering to others. The story highlights the dangers of power without morality. It teaches that intelligence and scientific progress should always be guided by ethical values. Griffin’s downfall was not caused by his invention but by the way he used it. The author emphasizes that character is more important than talent and that scientific discoveries should benefit society rather than harm it. Thus, the story serves as a warning against the misuse of knowledge and power.

7. How did Griffin misuse the power of invisibility?
Ans: Griffin used his power of invisibility in a completely irresponsible manner. Instead of using it for scientific research or helping others, he used it to satisfy his own needs and desires. He stole food from shops, took clothes without paying, robbed a shopkeeper of his money, and entered places illegally. He also set fire to his landlord’s house and frightened innocent people by creating mysterious disturbances. Griffin believed that his invisibility protected him from punishment and allowed him to do whatever he wanted. His actions demonstrate how dangerous power can become when it is not controlled by moral values. Through Griffin’s misuse of invisibility, the story shows that great power should always be accompanied by responsibility and self-discipline.

8. “Power without responsibility is dangerous.” Explain with reference to Griffin.
Ans: Griffin’s story clearly illustrates the truth of this statement. His discovery of invisibility gave him extraordinary power that no ordinary person possessed. However, instead of using this power wisely, he used it for criminal and selfish purposes. He stole from shops, damaged property, threatened people, and sought revenge against his landlord. Griffin believed that because nobody could see him, he was free from all rules and laws. As a result, he became increasingly reckless and dangerous. His actions caused fear and confusion wherever he went. The story demonstrates that power can become destructive when it is not guided by responsibility and moral values. Through Griffin’s character, H.G. Wells teaches that every form of power must be used carefully and ethically for the good of society.