CBSE Class 10 English
Chapter 5: Footprints Without Feet
Important Questions and Answers
1. Who was Griffin and why is he called a lawless scientist?
Answer:
Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a way to make the human body invisible. Although he was highly intelligent, he lacked moral values and used his scientific knowledge for selfish purposes. When his landlord tried to evict him, Griffin set the house on fire in revenge. Later, he stole food, clothes, and money to survive. Instead of using his invention for the benefit of society, he misused it to commit crimes and escape punishment. His irresponsible actions created fear and confusion wherever he went. Therefore, the author describes Griffin as a lawless scientist whose intelligence was not guided by ethics or responsibility.
2. How did Griffin become invisible?
Answer:
Griffin was a talented scientist who devoted himself to finding a method of making the human body invisible. After conducting several experiments, he discovered certain rare drugs that could change the body’s appearance. He swallowed these drugs and successfully made his body transparent like glass, though it remained solid. As a result, people could not see him, but his footprints and physical actions could still reveal his presence. This scientific achievement was remarkable, but Griffin failed to use it wisely. Instead of helping humanity, he used his invisibility for theft, revenge, and unlawful activities, which eventually caused trouble for him and others.
3. Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house?
Answer:
Griffin’s landlord disliked him and wanted to remove him from the house. Griffin became angry and decided to take revenge. In a fit of rage, he set fire to the landlord’s house. Before doing so, he removed his clothes and became invisible to avoid being caught. Although he managed to escape, the incident left him homeless and without money. His action clearly showed his violent and irresponsible nature. Instead of solving the problem peacefully, Griffin chose destruction and crime. This event highlights how his scientific brilliance was overshadowed by his lack of self-control and moral judgment.
4. What strange sight did the two boys see in London?
Answer:
Two boys in London were amazed when they noticed fresh muddy footprints appearing on the steps of a house. The footprints seemed mysterious because there was no visible person making them. As they watched, new footprints continued to appear and move down the street. Curious and frightened, the boys followed them for some distance. Eventually, the footprints faded away and disappeared. The mystery was later explained when it was revealed that the footprints belonged to Griffin, an invisible scientist. This unusual incident creates suspense at the beginning of the story and immediately captures the reader’s interest.
5. How did Griffin manage to survive in London during winter?
Answer:
After becoming invisible and homeless, Griffin faced great difficulty surviving in the cold winter of London. To escape the freezing weather, he entered a large department store at night. There he ate food, drank coffee, and wore warm clothes, shoes, and an overcoat. He enjoyed the comforts of the store after it had closed and even slept on a pile of quilts. However, the next morning he was discovered by the store employees. To escape capture, he quickly removed his clothes and became invisible again. Thus, Griffin survived by using his invisibility and resorting to theft and dishonest means.
6. Why did Griffin enter a theatrical company?
Answer:
After escaping from the department store, Griffin found himself once again without clothes and exposed to the cold weather. To solve this problem, he entered a theatrical company because he knew it would contain costumes and disguise materials. There he found clothes, bandages, dark glasses, a false nose, and whiskers to hide his invisible appearance. He also robbed the shopkeeper of money before leaving. These disguises allowed him to move among people without attracting suspicion. Griffin’s actions show how he repeatedly used dishonesty and crime to solve his problems rather than relying on honest methods.
7. Why did Griffin go to the village of Iping?
Answer:
Griffin left London and travelled to the village of Iping because he wanted to avoid the crowded city where he could easily be discovered. He needed a quiet place to continue his experiments and hide from the authorities. At Iping, he rented two rooms at an inn run by Mrs Hall. His strange appearance and secretive behaviour soon attracted attention. He spent most of his time indoors and did not want anyone to disturb him. Griffin believed that the remote village would provide privacy and safety, but his unusual actions eventually made the villagers suspicious.
8. Describe Griffin’s appearance at Mrs Hall’s inn.
Answer:
When Griffin arrived at Mrs Hall’s inn in Iping, he looked very unusual. His face was completely covered with bandages, and he wore dark glasses, a false nose, and large whiskers. He kept himself wrapped in heavy clothes and avoided showing any part of his body. His appearance frightened and puzzled the villagers. Griffin claimed that an accident had damaged his face and that he needed privacy. In reality, the disguise was necessary because he was invisible. His strange look and secretive nature made people curious and suspicious, leading to several rumours about him.
9. Why did Mrs Hall become suspicious of Griffin?
Answer:
Mrs Hall initially welcomed Griffin as a guest and tried to be friendly towards him. However, she soon became suspicious because of his strange behaviour. Griffin rarely left his room, disliked visitors, and became angry whenever someone questioned him. Mysterious incidents also occurred in the inn, such as furniture moving on its own and unusual noises coming from his room. When Mrs Hall confronted him, he reacted violently and refused to explain his actions. His secrecy and bad temper made her believe that something was wrong. These events eventually led to the discovery of his invisibility.
10. How did Griffin reveal his invisibility?
Answer:
When Mrs Hall questioned Griffin about the strange happenings in his room, he became furious. In a burst of anger, he decided to reveal his secret. He removed his bandages, dark glasses, false nose, and whiskers. To everyone’s shock, there was no face beneath them. The people present saw what appeared to be a headless man. This frightening sight created panic among the villagers. Griffin’s revelation proved that he was invisible and explained the mysterious events occurring around him. The scene is one of the most dramatic moments in the story.
11. What happened when Constable Jaffers tried to arrest Griffin?
Answer:
Constable Jaffers arrived at the inn to arrest Griffin for robbery and suspicious activities. At first, Griffin seemed trapped, but he used his invisibility to escape. He quickly removed his clothes one by one, becoming less visible with each piece removed. Soon he became completely invisible. The people who tried to catch him were confused because they could not see him. Griffin struck them with invisible blows and created chaos. In the struggle, Constable Jaffers was knocked unconscious. Griffin successfully escaped, demonstrating how dangerous his invisible powers could be when used irresponsibly.
12. What kind of person was Griffin?
Answer:
Griffin was a highly intelligent and talented scientist, but he lacked honesty, kindness, and self-discipline. He used his scientific discovery for selfish purposes rather than helping society. He set fire to his landlord’s house, stole food and money, and frightened innocent people. Griffin was also short-tempered and often reacted violently when questioned. Although his invisibility was a remarkable achievement, his misuse of power turned him into a criminal. His character teaches readers that intelligence alone is not enough; it must be guided by strong moral values and responsibility.
13. How did Griffin misuse his scientific discovery?
Answer:
Griffin’s discovery of invisibility was a major scientific achievement, but he failed to use it responsibly. Instead of benefiting humanity, he used his power to commit crimes and satisfy personal needs. He stole clothes, food, and money, set fire to a house, and frightened people wherever he went. He believed that invisibility gave him freedom from rules and punishment. His actions created fear and disorder in society. Through Griffin’s character, the author shows that scientific knowledge can become dangerous when it is used without ethical responsibility. The story warns against the misuse of power and intelligence.
14. Why did Griffin rent two rooms at the inn?
Answer:
Griffin rented two rooms at Mrs Hall’s inn because he needed privacy and space for his activities. One room was used for his personal stay, while the other allowed him to keep his belongings and conduct his secret work without disturbance. Since he was invisible, he constantly needed to manage his disguises and experiments carefully. He also wanted to avoid attracting attention from other guests. His decision reflects his secretive nature and desire to remain hidden from society. However, despite his precautions, the strange events around him eventually exposed his secret.
15. Why were the villagers of Iping frightened by Griffin?
Answer:
The villagers of Iping were frightened because Griffin behaved in a mysterious and unusual manner. He always kept his face covered, avoided social interaction, and became angry when questioned. Strange incidents occurred wherever he stayed, including moving furniture and unexplained noises. When he finally removed his disguise and revealed that he was invisible, the villagers were terrified. They had never seen anything like it before. Griffin’s strange appearance, secretive behaviour, and violent reactions created fear and confusion among the people. As a result, they viewed him as a dangerous and frightening person.
16. What message does the story “Footprints Without Feet” convey?
Answer:
The story conveys that knowledge and scientific discoveries should be used responsibly. Griffin was a brilliant scientist who achieved something extraordinary by making himself invisible. However, he lacked moral values and used his power for crime, revenge, and selfish gain. As a result, his invention brought fear and suffering rather than benefit. The story highlights the dangers of intelligence without ethics. It teaches that scientific progress must be guided by humanity and responsibility. True success comes not only from knowledge but also from good character and respect for others.
17. How does H.G. Wells create suspense in the story?
Answer:
H.G. Wells creates suspense by introducing mysterious events that seem impossible to explain. The story begins with footprints appearing without any visible person, immediately arousing curiosity. Griffin’s strange appearance, secretive behaviour, and the unusual happenings at the inn keep readers interested. The gradual revelation of his invisibility increases excitement and tension. Wells also uses sudden actions, such as Griffin removing his disguise and escaping from arrest, to maintain suspense. The combination of mystery, science fiction, and unexpected events makes the story thrilling and engaging for readers throughout the chapter.
18. Why did Griffin steal from the shopkeeper?
Answer:
Griffin stole from the shopkeeper because he needed money and resources to survive. After becoming invisible, he had no home, job, or source of income. Instead of finding honest ways to solve his problems, he chose theft. At the theatrical company, he attacked the shopkeeper and robbed him of money. He also stole clothes and disguise materials for his use. Griffin believed that his invisibility protected him from punishment, making him more confident in committing crimes. This incident further reveals his selfish nature and lack of moral responsibility despite being a brilliant scientist.
19. What role does Mrs Hall play in the story?
Answer:
Mrs Hall is the owner of the inn where Griffin stays in the village of Iping. At first, she is friendly and welcoming towards her unusual guest. She tries to make him comfortable and respects his request for privacy. However, as strange incidents begin to occur, she becomes curious and suspicious. Her questions about Griffin’s activities eventually force him to reveal his invisibility. Mrs Hall’s character helps move the story forward by bringing Griffin’s secret into the open. She represents ordinary people reacting to something mysterious and frightening.
20. Why is Griffin considered both brilliant and dangerous?
Answer:
Griffin is considered brilliant because he achieved what seemed impossible—making a human body invisible. His scientific knowledge, determination, and creativity show exceptional intelligence. However, he is also dangerous because he lacks moral values and self-control. He uses his invention for theft, revenge, and violence instead of helping society. His invisibility gives him power, but he misuses it to frighten and harm others. The combination of great intelligence and poor character makes him a threat to society. Through Griffin, the author emphasizes that power without responsibility can lead to destruction and fear.