The-making-of-a-scientist-class-10-English-summary-questions-answers-cbse-ncert

 

SUMMARY

 

The story “Footprints Without Feet” by H.G. Wells is about a scientist named Griffin who discovers a way to make himself invisible. Although brilliant, he misuses his discovery and engages in theft and mischief. He first experiments on himself, removes all clothes, and becomes invisible. In this state, he creates panic in London, robs a shop, and escapes punishment because no one can see him. Later, he terrorises villagers and uses his invisibility to commit crimes. The chapter highlights how intelligence without morality becomes dangerous to society. It also teaches that misuse of science can harm both the individual and others.

 

GLOSSARY

 

Invisibility – State of being unseen.

 

Experiment – Scientific test to prove a theory.

 

Revengeful – Full of desire to harm someone back.

 

Mischievous – Causing trouble for fun or harm.

 

Panic – Sudden uncontrolled fear.

 

Marvel – Something that causes wonder.

 

Escapade – Adventure or reckless act.

 

Stranger – Unknown person.

 

Suspicion – Doubt about someone’s actions.

 

Science without humanity – Knowledge used without ethics.

 

SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Q1. Who was Griffin and what was his discovery?

 

Ans. Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a method to make himself invisible by altering the body’s refractive index. Although his scientific success was extraordinary, he misused it for selfish purposes. Instead of helping mankind, he used invisibility to commit crimes and create fear.

 

Q2. Why did Griffin become homeless?

 

Ans. Griffin was disliked by his landlord. Due to constant quarrels, he became angry and decided to take revenge. He set fire to his landlord’s house. Afterwards, with no shelter and little money, he roamed the streets of London without a home or possessions.

 

Q3. How did Griffin escape after burning the house?

 

Ans. To escape punishment, Griffin applied his scientific experiment on himself. He removed his clothes, swallowed certain drugs, and became invisible. Naked but unseen, he managed to run away safely. This invisibility became both his strength and weakness in the days to come.

 

Q4. Why was Griffin wandering in London streets without clothes?

 

Ans. After becoming invisible, Griffin found himself without clothes, food, or shelter. London’s winter was extremely cold, and he suffered badly. Since clothes make him visible, he wandered naked and invisible on the streets, trying to save himself from the chill and hunger.

 

Q5. How did Griffin manage to get clothes in the store?

 

Ans. Griffin entered a London store at night while it was closed. He wore warm clothes, shoes, and an overcoat. He also consumed food and drink. For a while, he enjoyed himself like an ordinary man. But in the morning, he was discovered by the shop assistants.

 

Q6. What happened when Griffin was seen in the store?

 

Ans. When the shop assistants arrived in the morning, they saw signs of someone inside. Griffin, in a panic, tried to escape. To save himself, he removed all his clothes again and became invisible. In this way, he narrowly escaped capture once more.

 

Q7. Where did Griffin go after escaping from the store?

 

Ans. Griffin fled to Drury Lane, a place famous for theatrical shops. There he stole bandages, a false nose, dark glasses, whiskers, and a hat. With these, he gave himself the appearance of a human stranger so that no one could suspect his identity.

 

Q8. Why did Griffin attack the shopkeeper in Drury Lane?

 

Ans. Griffin had entered the theatrical shop to steal items for disguise. When the shopkeeper suspected him, Griffin turned violent. He attacked the man, knocked him unconscious, and escaped with his stolen goods. This showed his increasing misuse of invisibility for personal safety and crime.

 

Q9. Why did Griffin go to the village of Iping?

 

Ans. Griffin wanted a quiet place away from crowds where he could live secretly and continue his experiments. He chose the remote village of Iping. There he rented two rooms at an inn, pretending to be an unusual stranger who disliked social company.

 

Q10. How did Mrs. Hall receive Griffin at the inn?

 

Ans. Mrs. Hall, the owner of the inn at Iping, was pleased to have a guest during off-season. She arranged rooms for him, though she found his appearance suspicious. Griffin paid in advance, but his strange behavior, covered face, and isolation soon made villagers doubtful.

 

Q11. Why was Griffin always irritable at the inn?

 

Ans. Griffin avoided social contact and wanted complete privacy. He did not like questions about his covered face and secret experiments. His irritability came from fear of being exposed and his constant struggle to hide his invisible identity from villagers and the police.

 

Q12. What made the villagers suspicious of Griffin?

 

Ans. Villagers noticed Griffin’s strange appearance—bandaged face, dark glasses, false nose—and his secretive behavior. He never mixed with people, and odd activities were heard from his room. When thefts occurred in the village, suspicions grew stronger against him as the mysterious stranger.

 

Q13. How did Griffin pay his rent to Mrs. Hall?

 

Ans. When Mrs. Hall pressed Griffin for payment, he suddenly showed a pile of money. This surprised everyone since no one knew where it came from. Later, the villagers connected this money with burglary at the clergyman’s house, which further increased suspicion against him.

 

Q14. Describe the burglary at the clergyman’s house.

 

Ans. The clergyman and his wife heard noises in their house at midnight. They came down and found money missing from the desk. Strangely, no one was seen inside. The burglary was done by invisible Griffin, who wanted money to pay his rent and continue hiding.

 

Q15. How did Griffin frighten Mrs. Hall?

 

Ans. Griffin once had an argument with Mrs. Hall. To scare her, he removed his bandages and false nose, making his face invisible. His sudden transformation into emptiness terrified Mrs. Hall and other villagers, convincing them that supernatural powers were involved.

 

Q16. How was Griffin caught by the villagers?

 

Ans. When the police were called, Griffin resisted capture. Villagers joined the constable to seize him. In the struggle, his disguise fell apart. One by one, his clothes and bandages were torn off, revealing his invisible state. Finally, everyone realized the truth about him.

 

Q17. What moral lesson do we learn from the story?

 

Ans. The story teaches that science should be used for the benefit of humanity, not for selfish gain. Griffin’s misuse of his discovery for crime led to his downfall. Intelligence without ethics is dangerous both to the person and to society as a whole.

 

Q18. How does Griffin misuse his scientific discovery?

 

Ans. Instead of using invisibility for good purposes, Griffin chose to commit burglary, assault, and mischief. He frightened innocent people, stole money, and even hurt others. His misuse shows how a great invention becomes destructive when handled by a selfish and immoral person.

 

Q19. What difficulties did Griffin face after becoming invisible?

 

Ans. Griffin suffered from cold weather because clothes made him visible. He also had no shelter, food, or comfort. He had to keep stealing to survive, which made him restless. His invisibility gave him power but also caused him loneliness and constant fear of exposure.

 

Q20. Why is the story called “Footprints Without Feet”?

 

Ans. When Griffin walked invisibly in the mud or snow, people saw his footprints but not his body. This created fear and amazement. The title symbolises his invisible presence and the impact of his scientific discovery that left traces without showing the man himself.

 

Q21. Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house?

 

Ans. Griffin disliked his landlord and wanted revenge. In anger, he set the house on fire. This reckless act forced him to escape quickly. It showed his violent and irresponsible character, as well as how his discovery was used to avoid punishment for his crime.

 

Q22. What happened when Griffin went out in the cold without clothes?

 

Ans. Griffin became invisible without clothes, but the freezing weather tortured him. He shivered and suffered in the open air. Though unseen, he was physically helpless against nature’s harshness. This situation reflected how science cannot defeat natural laws completely.

 

Q23. Why did Griffin need disguise after becoming invisible?

 

Ans. Griffin realized that though invisible, he could not interact normally in society. To buy things, enter places, or talk to people, he needed a visible form. Thus, he disguised himself using bandages, dark glasses, and a hat to appear like a human stranger.

 

Q24. Why was Mrs. Hall curious about Griffin?

 

Ans. Mrs. Hall observed his strange appearance and secretive behaviour. His locked room and odd experiments made her curious. She tried to question him, but Griffin avoided her. Later, when supernatural incidents occurred, her curiosity turned into fear and suspicion about his identity.

 

Q25. How did Griffin behave when the villagers doubted him?

 

Ans. Griffin became angry and violent when the villagers grew suspicious. Instead of explaining, he threatened and frightened them. His actions, like removing bandages to show invisibility, confirmed their doubts. This hostile behaviour further isolated him and made people treat him as a criminal.

 

Q26. Why did the constable try to arrest Griffin?

 

Ans. After reports of burglary and strange incidents, the constable was called to investigate. Villagers suspected Griffin. When the constable confronted him, Griffin resisted arrest. During the fight, his disguise was torn, revealing his invisibility. This confirmed all accusations against him.

 

Q27. How is Griffin a symbol of misuse of science?

 

Ans. Griffin used science for selfish revenge, crime, and mischief. Instead of helping mankind, he caused fear and trouble. His invention of invisibility could have been a blessing, but he turned it into a curse. Thus, he symbolises the destructive misuse of science.

 

Q28. Why was the discovery of invisibility both a boon and curse for Griffin?

 

Ans. Invisibility gave Griffin power to escape danger and commit crimes without being caught. But it also left him vulnerable—he could not bear cold weather, lacked comfort, and lived in fear of being exposed. Thus, it became both his strength and downfall.

 

Q29. What is the main theme of the story?

 

Ans. The main theme is the conflict between science and morality. While science can achieve wonders, if used without ethics, it becomes destructive. Griffin’s downfall teaches that knowledge without responsibility is dangerous and harmful to both the scientist and society.

 

Q30. How does the story warn us about uncontrolled scientific ambition?

 

Ans. The story warns that uncontrolled ambition can lead to disaster. Griffin’s desire to prove his genius blinded him to moral values. His invisibility brought him misery instead of success. The author shows that science must be guided by ethics and human welfare.

 

LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Q1. Give a character sketch of Griffin.

 

Ans. Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a way to make the human body invisible. His intelligence was remarkable, but he lacked moral values. Instead of using his discovery for the welfare of mankind, he misused it for selfish purposes. He burned his landlord’s house, robbed shops, and frightened innocent villagers. Griffin was revengeful, short-tempered, and reckless. His choice to live a life of crime shows that knowledge without ethics leads to destruction. Though extraordinary in science, he was a failure as a human being. Griffin represents how misuse of scientific knowledge turns a genius into a criminal.

 

Q2. How did Griffin become invisible? Explain his scientific experiment.

 

Ans. Griffin, a skilled scientist, experimented with the laws of optics. He discovered a method to make the human body transparent by changing its refractive index to that of air. This made light pass through the body without reflection, rendering him invisible. To prove his theory, he tested it on himself. After swallowing certain drugs and removing his clothes, he successfully became invisible. Although this discovery was revolutionary, Griffin misused it for selfish purposes. Instead of becoming famous for his brilliance, he used invisibility to commit thefts and crimes. Thus, his invention, though scientifically valuable, was wasted due to lack of morality.

 

Q3. Describe Griffin’s escape after burning down his landlord’s house.

 

Ans. Griffin disliked his landlord and, in anger, set his house on fire. To escape punishment, he used his invisibility formula on himself. He took off his clothes, swallowed drugs, and disappeared. Naked but unseen, he wandered through the streets of London in the freezing winter. Though he managed to escape, his condition was miserable because he had no clothes, food, or shelter. The biting cold tortured him. This escape shows both the power and limitations of invisibility. While it saved him from the law, it exposed him to nature’s harsh realities. Griffin’s reckless revenge only worsened his life.

 

Q4. How did Griffin manage to live in the London store? What problems did he face?

 

Ans. Griffin sneaked into a big London store one winter night. Inside, he enjoyed luxuries that he had been deprived of. He wore warm clothes, shoes, and an overcoat. He ate food and drank wine, feeling comfortable for the first time since becoming invisible. He even slept on a soft bed. However, his joy did not last long. In the morning, when the shop assistants arrived, they discovered signs of his presence. Griffin panicked, removed his clothes again, and fled, invisible. This incident shows how his invisibility gave him temporary pleasures but constant fear of discovery. He never lived peacefully.

 

Q5. Why did Griffin go to Drury Lane after escaping the store?

 

Ans. After fleeing the London store, Griffin needed a disguise to interact with people. He went to Drury Lane, an area famous for theatrical costume shops. There, he stole bandages to cover his invisible face, dark glasses to hide his eyes, a false nose, whiskers, and a wide-brimmed hat. These accessories gave him the appearance of a strange human stranger. However, when the shopkeeper suspected him, Griffin turned violent, knocked the man unconscious, and escaped. This episode shows his cunning nature and his reliance on crime to survive. Instead of using his brilliance responsibly, he lived as a fugitive.

 

Q6. Describe Griffin’s arrival in the village of Iping.

 

Ans. Griffin reached Iping, a small village, in search of a quiet and secluded place. He rented two rooms in an inn owned by Mrs. Hall. His strange appearance, with bandaged face, dark glasses, false nose, and a hat, surprised the villagers. He avoided social contact and stayed indoors, claiming he needed privacy for experiments. Though he paid in advance, his irritable behaviour and secretive lifestyle aroused suspicion. Mrs. Hall and the villagers soon found him mysterious and unfriendly. Griffin wanted to hide from the world, but ironically, his attempt at secrecy only made people more doubtful of his identity.

 

Q7. How did Griffin’s behaviour at the inn make the villagers suspicious?

 

Ans. Griffin lived at the inn in Iping in complete isolation. He always kept his face covered with bandages, wore dark glasses, and avoided conversation. Strange noises often came from his locked room, suggesting odd experiments. He became angry whenever anyone asked questions. His sudden ability to pay rent with large sums of money, coinciding with the burglary at the clergyman’s house, deepened doubts. Mrs. Hall noticed supernatural incidents, such as furniture moving on its own, which terrified her. The villagers believed he was involved in witchcraft or criminal activities. Thus, his unfriendly nature and secrecy made him highly suspicious.

 

Q8. What happened at the clergyman’s house?

 

Ans. One midnight, the clergyman and his wife were awakened by noises in their study. Believing thieves had entered, they rushed downstairs. To their shock, they found money missing from the desk but no thief in sight. This mysterious burglary puzzled them and the villagers. In reality, Griffin had committed the theft. Invisible, he had easily entered and stolen the money to pay his dues at the inn. This incident created fear and suspicion in the village, as people could not understand how a theft could happen without a visible culprit. It exposed Griffin’s growing misuse of his discovery.

 

Q9. How did Griffin frighten Mrs. Hall?

 

Ans. When Mrs. Hall pressed Griffin about his rent and suspicious behaviour, he became angry. To terrify her, he performed a shocking act—he removed his bandages, false nose, and hat, revealing an empty space where his face should have been. Mrs. Hall was horrified to see nothing but emptiness. She believed her inn was haunted by spirits. Griffin’s cruel trick not only frightened her but also increased the villagers’ fear and suspicion. Instead of clearing doubts, Griffin’s behaviour confirmed their belief that he was dangerous. This act highlights his selfishness and his tendency to misuse invisibility to threaten others.

 

Q10. Describe the villagers’ attempt to catch Griffin.

 

Ans. The villagers grew restless after the burglary and strange incidents at the inn. They called the constable to arrest Griffin. When he was confronted, Griffin resisted fiercely. In the struggle, his hat, bandages, and clothes were torn away, gradually revealing his invisible body. People were shocked to see no man inside the clothes. Though they tried to overpower him, he managed to slip away after creating confusion. This dramatic event confirmed the villagers’ worst suspicions. They realised that the mysterious stranger was actually invisible. Griffin’s exposure turned him from a guest into a hunted criminal in everyone’s eyes.

 

Q11. What moral lesson does the story “Footprints Without Feet” teach us?

 

Ans. The story teaches that scientific knowledge must be guided by ethics. Griffin was a genius who discovered invisibility, a remarkable achievement. But he misused his gift for selfish revenge, theft, and violence. Instead of helping mankind, he spread fear and caused harm. His downfall proves that intelligence without morality is dangerous. Science is a blessing only when it serves humanity. If used irresponsibly, it becomes destructive. The author H.G. Wells shows that unchecked ambition leads to misery. Thus, the story is not just about invisibility but a warning against using knowledge without responsibility and human values.

 

Q12. How does Griffin symbolise the misuse of science?

 

Ans. Griffin’s life is a clear example of how science can be misused. His discovery of invisibility was revolutionary and could have benefitted society in countless ways. However, Griffin chose to use it for personal gain and revenge. He burned his landlord’s house, robbed shops, attacked innocent people, and terrified villagers. His actions turned him into a criminal instead of a respected scientist. His downfall shows that scientific progress without humanity becomes destructive. Through Griffin’s character, the story symbolises the dangers of knowledge when it is separated from morality. Science must always serve mankind, not harm it.

 

Q13. How is the story “Footprints Without Feet” a warning against ambition without morality?

 

Ans. Griffin’s ambition to prove his genius led him to discover invisibility. But his desire for recognition and power blinded him to moral values. Instead of using his discovery for the good of others, he misused it for selfish acts like theft and violence. His ambition pushed him into a lonely and miserable life. Though brilliant, he became a fugitive hunted by society. The story warns that unchecked ambition without moral responsibility leads to downfall. Scientific success is meaningless if it lacks ethical values. Griffin’s fate is a reminder that humanity must guide ambition for it to be useful.

 

Q14. Why is the title “Footprints Without Feet” suitable for the story?

 

Ans. The title is very appropriate because it captures the essence of invisibility. When Griffin walked invisibly in mud or snow, people could see his footprints but not his body. This created fear and amazement. The footprints without a visible person symbolised both his scientific achievement and his misuse of it. The title also suggests the idea of actions without accountability—Griffin committed crimes but could not be easily caught because of his invisibility. Just like footprints without feet, his presence was felt but not seen. Thus, the title perfectly reflects the mystery and theme of the story.

 

Q15. Describe Griffin’s experience in London after becoming invisible.

 

Ans. After becoming invisible, Griffin faced many difficulties in London. Though unseen, he was naked and exposed to the freezing winter cold. Clothes made him visible, so he could not wear them. He wandered hungry and shelterless, suffering from the weather. To survive, he sneaked into a store, stole clothes, and ate food. However, he was discovered in the morning and had to escape naked once again. His invisibility protected him from people but not from nature. These experiences show the double-edged nature of his discovery—it gave him power but also made his life full of misery and danger.

 

Q16. How did invisibility become both a boon and a curse for Griffin?

 

Ans. Invisibility initially seemed like a great blessing for Griffin. It allowed him to escape danger, take revenge, and commit thefts without being caught. He could walk freely, unseen by others, and create fear. However, this very gift soon turned into a curse. He could not bear cold weather without clothes, and wearing clothes made him visible. He remained hungry, shelterless, and constantly on the run. People suspected him everywhere, and he had to keep committing crimes to survive. Invisibility gave him power but also isolation, misery, and fear. Thus, it became both a strength and a punishment for him.

 

Q17. What role does Mrs. Hall play in the story?

 

Ans. Mrs. Hall, the owner of the inn at Iping, plays an important role in highlighting Griffin’s suspicious behaviour. At first, she welcomed him warmly because he paid in advance. However, his bandaged face, dark glasses, and secretive lifestyle made her curious. She tried to question him, but Griffin became irritable and avoided answers. When supernatural incidents occurred, she was terrified and believed the inn was haunted. Mrs. Hall’s reactions mirror the villagers’ growing doubts about Griffin. Her character represents ordinary, innocent people who become victims of the misuse of science. Through her, the story shows society’s fear of the unknown.

 

Q18. How did Griffin’s discovery bring him misery instead of success?

 

Ans. Griffin’s discovery of invisibility was an extraordinary scientific achievement. If used wisely, it could have brought him fame and success. However, his misuse of the invention made his life miserable. He had no proper shelter, food, or comfort. He was constantly chased by the police and villagers. To survive, he committed crimes that turned society against him. Instead of living as a respected scientist, he became a fugitive and a criminal. His discovery, instead of becoming a blessing, became his curse. The story highlights that knowledge without responsibility often leads to failure and destruction, as seen in Griffin’s case.

 

Q19. Compare Griffin’s scientific brilliance with his moral weakness.

 

Ans. Griffin was undoubtedly a man of great scientific brilliance. His discovery of invisibility showed deep knowledge of optics and courage to experiment on himself. Yet, his intelligence was wasted because of his moral weakness. He lacked discipline, honesty, and compassion. He used his knowledge not to help others but to harm and frighten them. He set fire to his landlord’s house, robbed shops, and scared innocent villagers. His selfishness overshadowed his genius. This contrast highlights that brilliance without morality is dangerous. A truly successful scientist must balance intelligence with ethical responsibility. Griffin failed in this balance, leading to his downfall.

 

Q20. How did the villagers of Iping react to Griffin’s strange behaviour?

 

Ans. The villagers of Iping were simple people who initially welcomed Griffin. But his secretive nature, bandaged face, and irritable behaviour made them doubtful. Strange noises from his room and his sudden ability to pay rent with stolen money deepened their suspicion. When supernatural incidents, like furniture moving on its own, occurred, they became convinced that something was wrong. Fear turned into anger, and they finally called the constable to arrest him. Their reactions represent common people’s fear of the unknown. They could not understand science, so they believed Griffin’s actions were unnatural or even evil.

 

Q21. Why did Griffin prefer isolation, and what was the result?

 

Ans. Griffin preferred isolation because he feared discovery. He wanted to hide his invisibility from society and continue his experiments in secret. For this reason, he chose the quiet village of Iping. However, his desire for isolation backfired. His unfriendly behaviour and secretive lifestyle only made people more suspicious. The more he tried to stay away, the more curious villagers became. His inability to mix with society made him lonely, frustrated, and angry. In the end, this isolation turned him into an outcast. The result was his exposure and downfall. The story shows that humans cannot survive in isolation.

 

Q22. Why did Griffin’s scientific success turn into a personal failure?

 

Ans. Griffin’s scientific success in achieving invisibility was remarkable. It proved his brilliance and courage. But success in science alone does not guarantee happiness or recognition. Griffin failed personally because he lacked ethical values. He misused his discovery for selfish purposes like theft and revenge. Society rejected him, and instead of honour, he faced hatred and fear. His life became full of crime, loneliness, and danger. Thus, his invention, which could have made him great, destroyed him. This shows that personal success requires more than talent—it also needs wisdom, discipline, and responsibility, all of which Griffin lacked.

 

Q23. How is the story a blend of science fiction and moral lesson?

 

Ans. “Footprints Without Feet” is a fine example of science fiction because it revolves around the imaginary scientific discovery of invisibility. The author, H.G. Wells, presents this fantastic idea in a realistic way. At the same time, the story is not just about science but also about morality. It conveys the lesson that intelligence without ethics is dangerous. Griffin’s misuse of science for personal gain and crime brought him misery. Thus, the story is both entertaining and educational. It makes readers curious about science while also warning them about the consequences of using knowledge irresponsibly.

 

Q24. How did Griffin’s invisibility affect his relationship with society?

 

Ans. Griffin’s invisibility completely destroyed his relationship with society. At first, he saw invisibility as freedom, but soon it became a barrier between him and other people. He could not live like a normal human being because his condition made him secretive and unfriendly. People feared and distrusted him. Instead of gaining respect, he attracted suspicion and hatred. He lived as a criminal, constantly hiding and fighting. His gift of invisibility cut him off from love, trust, and companionship. This shows that human beings cannot survive happily without social bonds, and misuse of science often isolates individuals from society.

 

Q25. Why is Griffin described as a criminal scientist?

 

Ans. Griffin is called a criminal scientist because he misused his scientific discovery for unlawful acts. Instead of using invisibility for noble purposes, he burned his landlord’s house, robbed shops, attacked innocent people, and stole money. He even frightened Mrs. Hall and the villagers. His actions showed no sense of morality or humanity. Science gave him power, but instead of contributing to society, he chose a life of crime. He became a fugitive who spread fear everywhere. Thus, Griffin is not remembered as a great scientist but as a criminal, proving that science without ethics is destructive.

 

Q26. How does Griffin’s story highlight the dangers of uncontrolled ambition?

 

Ans. Griffin’s ambition to prove his scientific genius led him to experiment with invisibility. While his discovery was extraordinary, his uncontrolled ambition made him blind to its consequences. He wanted recognition, power, and freedom, but he lacked discipline and morality. This ambition drove him to commit crimes and isolate himself from society. Instead of fame, he faced suspicion, hatred, and downfall. The story highlights that ambition must be balanced with responsibility. Uncontrolled ambition, no matter how brilliant, leads to destruction. Griffin’s life is a warning that unchecked desires can turn success into misery.

 

Q27. How does H.G. Wells create suspense in the story?

 

Ans. H.G. Wells creates suspense through Griffin’s mysterious presence. The invisible scientist leaves footprints without a body, steals without being seen, and lives as a stranger with a covered face. Villagers suspect him but cannot prove anything. Each incident, from burglary to moving furniture, adds to the tension. Readers remain curious about how long Griffin can hide his secret. Finally, his disguise falls apart, and his invisibility is exposed, providing a dramatic climax. Wells skillfully blends science, mystery, and human fear to keep readers engaged. The suspense makes the story both thrilling and thought-provoking.

 

Q28. How does Griffin’s downfall prove that evil cannot win for long?

 

Ans. Griffin’s misuse of invisibility gave him temporary success. He escaped punishment, stole money, and frightened people. But evil cannot last forever. His crimes soon caught up with him. Villagers, police, and society turned against him. His disguise was exposed, and his secret revealed. Instead of fame and comfort, he faced loneliness, fear, and hatred. His downfall shows that selfishness and crime bring only short-term gain but long-term misery. The story proves that truth and morality always prevail over evil. Griffin’s tragic fate is a reminder that wrong means can never achieve lasting success.

 

Q29. How does the story reflect the conflict between science and humanity?

 

Ans. “Footprints Without Feet” reflects the ongoing conflict between science and humanity. Science, when used with responsibility, is a blessing for mankind. But when separated from human values, it becomes dangerous. Griffin’s discovery of invisibility was an outstanding achievement, but he used it against society. Instead of serving humanity, he spread fear and committed crimes. His downfall reflects the dangers of ignoring human values. The story teaches that science must always remain under the control of ethics. Humanity should guide knowledge, otherwise progress turns destructive. Thus, the story is both a scientific adventure and a moral warning.

 

Q30. What message does the author give through Griffin’s character?

 

Ans. Through Griffin’s character, H.G. Wells conveys the message that science without morality is dangerous. Knowledge alone is not enough; it must be guided by ethics and responsibility. Griffin’s misuse of his discovery for crime brought him misery and downfall. His story is a warning against selfish ambition, isolation, and misuse of power. The author wants readers to understand that true greatness lies not just in intelligence but in using it for the welfare of humanity. Griffin’s life, though scientifically brilliant, ended as a failure. The message is clear—science must serve mankind, not harm it.