Short Answer Questions (Approx. 40-50 words / 3 marks)
- Question: How did the two boys in London discover Griffin’s presence?
Answer: The two boys were surprised to see fresh muddy footprints appearing from nowhere on the steps of a house in London. As they followed the disappearing footprints, they eventually realized there was no visible person, indicating an invisible presence, which was Griffin.
- Question: Why did Griffin decide to slip into a big London store?
Answer: Griffin was wandering in London without clothes and money after setting his landlord’s house on fire. He was feeling cold and hungry. He decided to slip into a big London store to find some clothes, food, and warmth to survive the severe cold of mid-winter.
- Question: What did Griffin do in the London store?
Answer: In the London store, Griffin broke open boxes and wrappers and fitted himself out with warm clothes. He ate cold meat, coffee, and sweets from the restaurant. Later, he slept on a pile of quilts, living comfortably.
- Question: Why did Griffin leave the London store?
Answer: Griffin was sleeping comfortably on a pile of quilts in the store. He overslept and woke up only when the shop assistants were arriving the next morning. To avoid being seen and caught, he hastily threw off all his new clothes and became invisible again, slipping away unnoticed.
- Question: Describe Griffin’s actions at the theatrical company shop.
Answer: At the theatrical company shop, Griffin broke open boxes and helped himself to bandages around his forehead, dark glasses, a false nose, big bushy side-whiskers, and a large hat. He also stole money from the shopkeeper.
- Question: Why did Griffin go to Iping village?
Answer: Griffin went to Iping village partly to escape the London crowd and his recent misadventures, and partly to carry out his experiments in peace. He booked two rooms at the local inn, hoping to remain unnoticed in a quiet place.
- Question: Why was Mrs. Hall shocked by Griffin’s appearance?
Answer: Mrs. Hall was shocked by Griffin’s strange appearance – his bandaged face, dark glasses, and big bushy side-whiskers. She found him eccentric and unusual for a guest. His rude and temperamental behaviour further added to her discomfort.
- Question: What suspicion did Mr. and Mrs. Hall have about Griffin?
Answer: Mr. and Mrs. Hall became suspicious of Griffin due to his eccentric behaviour, his preference for being alone, and the closed doors of his room. Their suspicion grew stronger when he paid them in cash after the burglary at the clergyman’s house, even though he had earlier admitted to having no money.
- Question: What unusual things happened in Griffin’s room at the inn?
Answer: One morning, Mr. and Mrs. Hall found Griffin’s door open. They saw his bandages lying around and heard a sniff close to their ear. The bedpost leapt up and charged at Mrs. Hall, and the chair became alive, pushing them out of the room, slamming and locking the door.
- Question: Why did the villagers of Iping suspect Griffin of the burglary at the clergyman’s house? Answer: The villagers suspected Griffin because he had arrived in Iping carrying cash immediately after the burglary, despite having claimed he had no money earlier. His strange appearance and reclusive behaviour also added to their suspicion.
- Question: How did Griffin ultimately reveal his invisibility to everyone?
Answer: When the village constable, Jaffers, tried to arrest Griffin, Griffin began to take off his bandages, whiskers, spectacles, and nose, making himself gradually invisible. This shocking revelation left everyone in absolute astonishment.
- Question: What was Griffin’s profession, and what was his passion?
Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist. His passion was to prove that the human body could be made invisible, and he dedicated himself to this scientific pursuit, even resorting to illegal and unethical means.
- Question: Why did Griffin become a “homeless wanderer”?
Answer: Griffin became a homeless wanderer because his landlord disliked him and tried to evict him. In revenge, Griffin set his landlord’s house on fire and, to escape, he had to remove his clothes and become invisible, thus leaving him without a home.
- Question: Why did Mrs. Hall try to question Griffin even after he paid her?
Answer: Mrs. Hall was still uneasy because of Griffin’s strange behaviour, his reluctance to talk, and the unusual happenings in his room (like the chair episode). Despite receiving money, her curiosity and suspicion about him grew.
- Question: What does the phrase “Footprints without Feet” signify in the story?
Answer: The phrase signifies the invisible presence of Griffin. It literally refers to the muddy marks left by Griffin as he walked around without being seen, and metaphorically highlights the strange and unexplained nature of his existence as an invisible man.
Long Answer Questions (Approx. 100-120 words / 5 marks)
- Question: Griffin was a brilliant scientist but a lawless person. Justify this statement with examples from the story.
Answer: Griffin was undoubtedly a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make the human body invisible. His experiments required immense intellect and dedication. However, he was indeed a lawless person. Firstly, he set his landlord’s house on fire in revenge for being disliked. Secondly, he stole clothes and food from a London store. Thirdly, he burgled a theatrical company’s shop and stole money. Finally, he broke into the clergyman’s house. His invisibility was consistently used for personal gain and to escape the consequences of his illegal actions, demonstrating a complete disregard for the law and others’ rights.
- Question: How did Griffin use his invisibility to his advantage and disadvantage?
Answer: Griffin’s invisibility was a double-edged sword. He used it to his advantage by escaping without being caught after setting his landlord’s house on fire. It allowed him to enter stores and houses undetected, providing him with clothes, food, and money when he had none. He could also play pranks on people, like tripping the boys or hitting the shopkeeper. However, his invisibility also led to disadvantages. He had to remain naked in winter to be invisible, suffering from cold. He was eventually forced to shed his clothes and become a homeless wanderer. His bizarre appearance when clothed also attracted unwanted attention, leading to suspicion and ultimately exposing his secret in Iping.
- Question: Describe the various incidents that show Griffin as a short-tempered and irritable person. Answer: Griffin displayed a consistently short-tempered and irritable nature throughout the story. When his landlord tried to evict him, Griffin, instead of reasoning, set his house on fire in a fit of rage. In the London store, upon realizing he had overslept, he hurriedly tore off his clothes and vanished. In Iping, when Mrs. Hall attempted to question him about his unusual appearance and locked door, he flew into a rage, flinging a chair at her and tearing off his bandages to reveal his invisibility, causing terror. His violent reaction to being confronted showcases his volatile temperament and lack of control over his anger.
- Question: “Great scientific discoveries can be misused.” Discuss this statement in the context of Griffin’s character in the story “Footprints Without Feet.”
Answer: The story “Footprints Without Feet” serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of great scientific discoveries. Griffin, a brilliant scientist, invents a formula that makes him invisible. However, he lacks moral values and uses this groundbreaking discovery for personal gain, revenge, and criminal activities. He sets his landlord’s house on fire, steals from shops, burgles a clergyman’s house, and terrorizes villagers. His invention, which could have benefited humanity, is instead used for chaos and self-interest. This highlights that scientific advancements, without ethical considerations and responsible use, can become tools for destruction and harm, proving that genius without character is dangerous.
- Question: Describe the strange incidents that took place in the clergyman’s study. What role did they play in intensifying the mystery surrounding Griffin?
Answer: One morning, the clergyman and his wife were awakened by noises in his study, as if someone was rifling through money. They crept downstairs and heard the chink of money being taken from the desk. The clergyman cried “Surrender!” and he and his wife rushed into the room, only to find it empty. However, the desk had been opened, and the money was gone. This incident greatly intensified the mystery around Griffin. Since he was the only new, strange visitor in the usually quiet village, and had mysteriously acquired cash after admitting to having none, he immediately became the prime suspect, solidifying the villagers’ belief that something supernatural or highly suspicious was occurring at the inn.
- Question: Explain the reaction of the villagers of Iping when they came to know about Griffin’s true identity.
Answer: The villagers of Iping were initially suspicious of Griffin due to his strange appearance and eccentric behaviour. Their suspicions turned into horror and disbelief when Griffin, confronted by Mrs. Hall and the constable Jaffers, began to shed his bandages, glasses, and false nose, revealing his invisible head. The sight of a headless man or a body without a head, yet still capable of moving and acting, terrified them. They were utterly shocked and bewildered, retreating in fear as Griffin made his escape by becoming completely invisible, leaving them stunned and helpless.
- Question: How did Griffin first become visible to the London boys? What was his plight then? Answer: Griffin first became visible when he accidentally stepped in mud, leaving footprints that the two boys noticed. His plight then was desperate. He was without clothes in the freezing mid-winter of London, without a home, and without money. To avoid drawing attention and suffering from the cold, he was forced to enter a London store, hoping to find warmth and clothes. His visibility from the mud was momentary, but it was enough to alert the boys to his unseen presence.
- Question: How did Griffin manage to escape from the theatrical company shop?
Answer: After stealing money from the theatrical company shopkeeper, Griffin was confronted. To escape, he attacked the shopkeeper from behind, injuring him. He then quickly took off the clothes and accessories he had put on, making himself invisible again. In his invisible state, he was able to easily slip away from the shop without being apprehended, leaving the shopkeeper bewildered.
- Question: Why was Mrs. Hall convinced that Griffin was an eccentric scientist? What did she decide to do despite his strange behaviour?
Answer: Mrs. Hall was convinced Griffin was an eccentric scientist primarily because of his unusual appearance (bandaged face, dark glasses), his constant desire for solitude, and his rude, temperamental nature. He explicitly stated that he did not wish to be disturbed during his scientific work. Despite his strangeness, she was willing to tolerate his behaviour initially because he had paid her in advance, and a scientist was an unusual and potentially respectable guest in a small village inn.
- Question: Discuss the theme of loneliness in the story “Footprints Without Feet”.
Answer: The story implicitly explores the theme of loneliness, particularly regarding Griffin. Despite possessing an extraordinary scientific discovery, Griffin is utterly isolated. His self-serving and unethical nature prevents him from forming genuine human connections. He has no friends, family, or colleagues who understand or support him. His invisibility, while a scientific feat, also makes him truly alone. He cannot interact normally with society, always having to conceal himself or resort to violence when discovered. This profound isolation, a consequence of his own choices and lack of empathy, leads him to increasingly erratic and desperate actions, highlighting that true fulfillment cannot be found in isolation or unethical pursuits, regardless of one’s brilliance.
- Why was Griffin considered a lawless person? (CBSE 2011)
Ans: Griffin used his invisibility for selfish acts—he robbed, assaulted, and created chaos.
Short Answer (3 Marks)
- How did Griffin escape from the London store? (CBSE 2013)
Ans: He removed all clothes and became invisible, tricking the employees and escaping
Short Answer (3 Marks)