Quick Revision Notes: Class 10 English (Supplementary Reader)

Chapter: Footprints Without Feet

1. Chapter Overview

• Author: H.G. Wells
• Central Theme: Misuse of scientific discovery and lack of social responsibility. The story revolves around Griffin, a brilliant scientist who discovers how to make his human body transparent, but uses his discovery for selfish, criminal, and chaotic purposes instead of the welfare of humanity.

2. Character List & Roles

• Griffin (The Scientist): A brilliant scientist who discovered a rare drug that makes the human body invisible. However, he is lawless, temperless, cruel, and a brilliant misanthrope (hater of mankind).
• Mr. Hall: The landlord of the 'Coach and Horses' inn at Iping village.
• Mrs. Hall: The landlady of the inn, easily influenced by Griffin's eccentricities initially, but later suspicious of him.
• Mr. Jaffers: The village constable summoned to arrest Griffin; he has a tough time dealing with an invisible opponent.
• Dr. Kemp: A former acquaintance/scientist whom Griffin seeks help from later in London (though mentioned briefly in full text summaries).
• Mr. Marvel: A tramp/homeless person whom Griffin forces to act as his unwilling accomplice (carrying his stolen money and books).

3. Plot Chronology & Key Events

1. The Footprints in London:
   • Two boys in central London are startled by fresh muddy footprints of a pair of bare feet appearing out of nowhere, walking down the street, and disappearing.
2. The Scientific Experiment:
   • Griffin swallowed certain rare drugs that made his body as transparent as a sheet of glass, though it remained as solid as metal.
3. The Fire at the London Store:
   • To escape the bitter cold of London without clothes, Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house and ran away invisibly. He entered a big London store for warmth, food, and clothes. He wore warm clothes, ate sweets, drank wine, and slept on a pile of quilts.
4. Escape to Iping Village:
   • When store assistants arrived in the morning, Griffin panicked and fled, stripping off his clothes to remain invisible. To avoid the cold, he took a train to Iping village and booked two rooms at the local inn owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hall.
5. Suspicious Activities at the Inn:
   • Griffin’s arrival in winter was unusual. His eccentric behavior, bandaged face, false nose, and dark glasses aroused suspicion. When his money ran out, he stole from a clergyman’s desk using his invisibility.
6. The Climax at the Inn:
   • Suspicious of the burglaries, Mr. and Mrs. Hall inspect Griffin’s empty room when he is out. Suddenly, the furniture becomes animate—the hat attacks Mrs. Hall, and the bedroom chair lunges at them, forcing them out in terror.
7. The Confrontation with the Police:
   • Constable Jaffers arrives with a warrant to arrest Griffin. Griffin takes off his clothes one by one, becoming completely invisible. He knocks Jaffers unconscious and escapes, leaving everyone bewildered.

4. Important Concepts & Values (Moral of the Story)

• Science without Ethics: Science is a powerful tool, but in the hands of a person without moral values or social responsibility, it becomes a curse.
• Law and Order: Crime cannot remain hidden forever; lawless behavior always leads to downfall and isolation.
• Misuse of Power: Griffin had an extraordinary power (invisibility), but he used it for theft, revenge, and petty crimes rather than helping society.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Quick Review Points)

• Q: Why were the two boys in London surprised?
  • Ans: They were surprised to see fresh, muddy footprints of a man on the steps of a house, but no man was visible making them.
• Q: Why did Griffin escape to Iping?
  • Ans: London was too cold for a naked, invisible man, and he had set fire to his landlord's house to erase evidence of his stay.
• Q: How did Griffin manage to escape from Jaffers, the constable?
  • Ans: By taking off his clothes and becoming completely invisible, rendering blows blindly until the constable was knocked out unconscious.