Footprints Without Feet Summary & Moral: Complete Guide for Students
Have you ever dreamt of becoming invisible, slipping through shadows unseen? H.G. Wells, the visionary sci-fi master, gives us a glimpse into this tantalizing world in his short story, "Footprints Without Feet." Prepare to meet Griffin, a brilliant yet flawed scientist, whose quest for invisibility takes him down a chilling path of isolation and moral decay. This guide serves as your compass through the story, revealing its hidden depths and exploring the timeless themes of ambition, responsibility, and the nature of humanity.
About Herbert George Wells
Before we start with the summary, let us learn in brief about the author Herbert George Wells.
Herbert George was born on 21 September 1866 and died on 13 August 1946. He is an English writer who wrote many genres, novels, short stories, social commentary, satire, autobiography, and biography. Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback are also often known as the “father of science fiction”.
The author, Herbert George Wells, describes in his story, Footprints Without Feet how a scientist misused his discovery. The summary of footprints without feet is a thought-provoking story about a scientist named Griffin. The story revolves around the rare formula of invisibility developed by the scientist. He developed a drug, and after swallowing it, it made him invisible. Though he became invisible, none felt him physically.
After some time, the scientist started misusing his power to steal clothes and money. He thought it’s not safe to stay in London with power and moved to a small village called Iping.
Footprints Without Feet Chapter Summary
It is a story about a scientist named Griffin, who was searching for different ways that could make a man invisible. He got success when he developed a formula through which he became invisible. Footprints without feet summary are all about the invisible man who cannot be seen but can feel physically by touching. Once, the scientist unintentionally stepped in mud due to which two young men saw him in the staircase of a house. They started following his footprints until it faded.
The scientist was feeling cold due to which he entered a garment shop to feel warm. When the stores shut down, he picked some garments and wore them to feel comfortable. After that, he ate cold meat and some espresso from the kitchen of a café. He then decided to sleep on a stack of quilts in that store. However, the next morning, some store associates had started following him before he woke up. He then removed all his clothes to become invisible again. Now, the scientist is travelling here and there without any clothes in the frigid winters.
After a few days, the scientist decided to get some garments and something to cover his face from a theatre company. He stole a hat, dark glasses, and some bandages for covering his face. Even he stole all the money from the shopkeeper by hitting him. He realized that London is overcrowded and not the right place to live the life of an invisible man. So, he decided to move to a small village named Iping.
Story of an Invisible Man in the Village
Footprints Without Feet Class 10 summary is about an invisible man who lived an interesting and adventurous life in London.
He was a lawless man who burnt his landlord’s house who tried to kick him out earlier. To avoid being caught, he removed all his clothes and left the house without money and clothes. Now he was left with no money and clothes and wandered on the streets of London.
Later he was caught by the two boys with muddy footprints of bare feet on a London street. The boys followed the footprints until they got faint. He went to a large London store to escape them, wore some clothes as he was feeling cold, and slept on some quilts to feel the warmth. He was caught by the store owner the next morning with clothes around him.
However, he found that the city was not the right destination for him. He took a train to the small village, Iping. The scientist booked two rooms at a guesthouse. The arrival of an outsider at an inn at winter times was an unusual incident. The landlord’s wife, Mrs. Hall, tried her best to make the guest comfortable and behave friendly. However, Griffin has shown no interest in talking with owners. Instead, he said that his reason for coming to this village is a desire for privacy. He expressed that he doesn't want any disturbance or interference in his work.
Additionally, the scientist said that an accident affected his face. All of his statements made the owner satisfied as well as rent in advance. Mrs. Hall was ready to forgive all his irritable temper or strange habits. However, the stolen money did not last for a long time, and soon Griffin realised that he had no money left. He did not admit it in front of Mrs. Hall and made a statement that his cheque was arriving at a party. The summary of footprints without feet shows scientists misusing the discovery but also putting him in trouble.
One day, the homeowner and his wife woke up early in the morning. They were surprised after seeing that the scientist’s room door was open. As it is normally shut and locked, they thought if any thief or some stranger entered his room. They took advantage of the opportunity and started investigating in his room. However, they observed extraordinary things there. In some time, the bedroom chair became alive and started springing in the air. It put both of them out of the room and locked the door. Mrs Hall was convinced that there were spirits in the room.
At that point, the constable was requested to inquire about the scientist’s identity and what he did to her furnishings. It made him annoyed due to which he decided to show his identity as a headless man. However, people were unable to catch the scientist.
Conclusion of Footprints Without Feet
H.G. Wells' "Footprints Without Feet" is a timeless masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of science fiction. It's a haunting tale of a man's descent into moral oblivion, serving as a cautionary tale for the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of human connection. So, dear reader, the next time you dream of disappearing into the shadows, remember Griffin's tragic journey. Choose to walk in the light, for true power lies not in being unseen, but in the choices we make, the connections we forge, and the humanity we hold onto, even in the darkest of hours.
FAQs on Footprints Without Feet Summary & Moral: Complete Guide for Students
1. What is the central theme of the story 'Footprints Without Feet'?
The central theme of 'Footprints Without Feet' is the potential for misuse of science. The story explains that a great scientific discovery, like invisibility, can become a curse if the person wielding it lacks a moral compass and human values. It serves as a cautionary tale about how knowledge without ethics can lead to lawlessness and self-destruction.
2. How can the character of Griffin be assessed as a scientist?
Griffin can be assessed as a brilliant but irresponsible scientist. While his discovery of making the human body transparent is a mark of genius, his actions reveal his flaws. A true scientist aims to benefit humanity. In contrast, Griffin uses his power for selfish reasons like theft, assault, and creating chaos. His lack of conscience and empathy makes him a lawless individual rather than a noble scientist.
3. Explain the scientific process that made Griffin invisible.
Griffin became invisible after carrying out numerous experiments to change the refractive index of the human body. He developed a formula and consumed a cocktail of rare drugs that made his flesh, bones, and blood as transparent as a sheet of glass. As a result, his body did not reflect or absorb any light, making him completely invisible. However, he remained a solid physical entity.
4. Why did Mrs. Hall, the innkeeper's wife, consider Griffin an eccentric guest?
Mrs. Hall found Griffin to be eccentric for several reasons:
Unusual Appearance: He was covered in bandages, wore dark glasses, and had a false nose, concealing his identity.
Odd Timing: He arrived in the village of Iping during the dead of winter, a time when visitors were rare.
Secretive Nature: He was short-tempered, unfriendly, and clearly stated that he wished for solitude and did not want to be disturbed in his work.
5. Describe the extraordinary events that took place at the inn in Iping.
When the landlord and his wife entered Griffin's room, they witnessed a series of bizarre events. First, the hat on the bedpost flew up and dashed itself into Mrs. Hall's face. Then, the bedroom chair came alive, charged straight at her, and pushed both her and her husband out of the room. These strange occurrences made them believe the room was haunted by spirits, not knowing it was the invisible Griffin.
6. What was the unusual incident at the clergyman's study, and why was it so puzzling?
The unusual incident was a burglary. The clergyman and his wife heard sounds from the study and discovered that their housekeeping money was missing from the desk. The event was extremely puzzling because when they searched the room, there was nobody there. They had heard the sounds and seen the desk open, but the culprit was nowhere to be seen, leaving them bewildered.
7. Explain why Griffin, the invisible man, was initially wandering the streets of London.
Griffin was wandering the streets of London because he had become a homeless and lawless wanderer. In an act of revenge, he set fire to his landlord's house after the landlord tried to evict him. To escape without being caught, he had to remove all his clothes to become fully invisible. This left him without clothes, money, or shelter in the cold London air.
8. What are the key disadvantages of invisibility as shown by Griffin's experiences?
While invisibility offered power, it also came with significant disadvantages for Griffin. He was constantly cold without clothes and vulnerable to the elements. He could be accidentally bumped into by people, and he left footprints in mud or snow, revealing his presence. Most importantly, his condition isolated him from society, leading to paranoia, frustration, and a life as a hunted outcast.
9. How does the story explain the difference between a brilliant mind and a truly great person?
The story uses Griffin to explain that intelligence alone does not make a person great. Griffin possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but he lacks empathy, ethics, and respect for the law. A truly great person combines their talents with a sense of responsibility towards society. Griffin's lawless behaviour—including assault and theft—demonstrates that without a moral compass, brilliance can be more dangerous than beneficial.
10. How did the two boys in London first encounter the invisible man's presence?
The two boys in London were the first to notice signs of the invisible man. They were surprised when they saw a set of fresh, muddy footprints appearing on the steps of a house, seemingly out of thin air. They could not see anyone making the prints, so they followed the mysterious footprints in fascination until they became fainter and disappeared.
