FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

THEME- The main theme of "Footprints Without Feet" is the misuse of scientific discovery
and its potential consequences. The story highlights how a brilliant scientific invention, like
invisibility, can be used for selfish and destructive purposes when coupled with a lack of
morality and ethical considerations.

MESSAGE- The main message of "Footprints without Feet" is that science, when used
without ethical considerations and a sense of responsibility, can be dangerous and lead to
disastrous consequences. The story highlights the potential for misuse of scientific
discoveries and the importance of using knowledge for the betterment of humanity, rather
than for selfish or destructive purposes.

SUMMARY- The story is about a scientist named Griffin. He had been discovering ways that
could make a man invisible and finally swallowed certain rare drugs that made him invisible.
He was first noticed by two boys in the staircase of a house where they could just see his
footsteps and started following it. They follow it until the footsteps are fainter and cannot be
seen. First, as he is feeling cold he enters a mall for some warmth. After the stores shut
down, he decides to wear some warm clothes and eat something.
He first unboxes a few clothes and wears them. Then from the kitchen of a restaurant, he
eats cold meat and some coffee. Later he goes to a grocery store and eats sweets and
drinks wine. He then falls asleep on a pile of quilts. He then wakes up in the morning when
some of the store assistants had seen him and started chasing him. He quickly threw away
all the clothes he was wearing and became invisible again. Then he started roaming around
again without any clothes in the cold winters of London.
He then decides to steal clothes from a theatre company as he knew he would get
something there to cover his face as well. He then steals bandages for his face, dark
glasses, false nose and a hat for covering himself.
He then hits the shopkeeper and steals all his money. Soon he realizes that London is too
crowded to live like this and decides that he would go to a remote village. He books two
rooms at an inn at the Iping village.
He reaches there and it is strange for the people of Iping that a stranger with such a weird
appearance has come to stay at an inn during the winter season. Once his money is over, he
steals from people and also hits the landlord and his wife when they try to check his room in
his absence. Then the village constable is asked for help but before that Mrs. Hall, the wife
of the landlord asks him questions regarding who he is and what he did to her furniture.
This makes him really furious and he decides to show her who he really is. The people then
see a headless man and Mr. Jaffers, the constable also finds out that he would have to
arrest a man who does not have a head. They are unable to catch Griffin as he removes all
his clothes and becomes invisible. He even knocks out Jaffers as he tries to catch him.

CHARACTER SKETCHES

1.​ GRIFFIN- Griffin was not a true scientist as he misused a scientific discovery. Griffin
set fire to the home of his landlord. He stripped off his clothing and turned invisible to
avoid being discovered. He sneaked into a large supermarket in London despite the
 bitter cold. He broke down packets and boxes. He stole clothing and food. He then
went to a different store. He stole both money and goods. He assaulted the
shopkeeper before fleeing. He then went to a local inn. There, he burglarized a
clergyman’s home and took money. To take him into custody, a cop was dispatched.
Griffin now removed his clothing and vanished from view. Griffin abused a scientific
discovery, proving that he was not a legitimate scientist as he misappropriated a
scientific finding.
2.​ MRS. HALL- Mrs. Hall, a warm and affable person who enjoys mingling with her
visitors, is constantly irritated by the mysterious Invisible Man’s refusal to speak with
her and his frequent outbursts. The Hall family is an ordinary one. Mrs. Hall nags Mr.
Hall about drinking, and he consumes alcohol. Mrs. Hall lashes out at Millie, the
serving girl, since Mr. Hall isn’t moving as quickly as she would want. Mrs. Hall, a
minor character, is revealed to be fairly cunning but in a good way. She truly wants to
know what caused the unusual man’s deformity since she believes he was involved
in a terrible catastrophe. The motherly side of her wants to express sympathy. She is
a very good innkeeper under the circumstances.
3.​ MR. HALL- Mr. Hall is a hen-packed husband who dances on the tunes of his wife.
He owns an inn in Iping. Along with his wife, he was in for a surprise when one
morning they saw the door of the stranger’s room, open. When they went inside to
investigate, they were in for a shock. The furniture seemed to be haunted as it moved
and flew while attempting to attack them.
4.​ JAFFERS- Bobby Jaffers is a brave constable of Iping Village. He is a courageous,
assertive, and shockingly obedient man. He displays his bravery and does his utmost
to capture the man when he is ordered by Magistrate Shuckle to make the arrest. At
first, he displays an arrest warrant for the person he believes to be responsible for
stealing Bunting’s money, but after observing the stranger’s aggressive behavior, he
must be careful around Griffin. Although strong, Griffin beats him mercilessly and
turns him black and blue, he persists until the very end. In spite of failing to
apprehend Griffin, he displays his superiority and eventually faints.

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

Q1. Describe the curious episode which took place in a clergyman’s study. [30-40
words]
Q2. Why does Mrs. Hall find the scientist (the new guest) eccentric? [2020, 30-40
words]
Q3. How did Griffin’s invisibility come to his help whenever he found himself in
trouble? [100-150 words]
Q4. A brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin misused his scientific discovery.
Illustrate this point by giving any two examples from the story.
[100-150 words]
Q5. Discoveries of science can be used for the welfare of mankind as well as for its
destruction. How is this applicable to Griffin’s scientific discovery? Explain giving
examples from the text. [100-150 words]