Footprints without Feet

By H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells was a British author best known for his pioneering works in science fiction. His novels, including “The War of the Worlds” and “The Time Machine”, explore futuristic concepts and the impact of science and technology on society. “Footprints Without Feet” is originally part of his science fiction novel “The Invisible Man”. It follows the experiences of a scientist, Griffin, who discovers how to make himself invisible. However, his newfound power leads to increasingly destructive behavior as he struggles with the consequences of his invisibility. The story highlights themes of isolation, morality, and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition.

Q: How did the invisible man first become visible?

The invisible man, Griffin, first becomes visible when he steps into the mud and leaves footprints that are noticed by people. This is because although his body is invisible, the mud he steps in sticks to his feet, revealing his presence.

Q: Why was he wandering the streets?

Griffin was wandering the streets because he had burned down the house where he conducted his experiments. He was homeless, without money, and trying to avoid being captured by the police or seen by the public.

Q: Why does Mrs. Hall find the scientist eccentric?

Mrs. Hall finds the scientist, Griffin, eccentric because of his reclusive nature, his unusual appearance (bandages covering his face), and his irritable and secretive behavior. He often stayed in his room, conducted strange experiments, and demanded privacy.

Q: What curious episode occurs in the study?

A curious episode occurs when Mrs. Hall enters Griffin’s room, which she finds empty, even though she hears sounds of someone moving around. Objects start moving on their own, which frightens Mrs. Hall and makes her think the room is haunted.

Q: What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?

Other extraordinary events at the inn include objects being thrown around by an unseen force, Griffin revealing his invisibility to the townsfolk, and the ensuing chaos when people realize they are dealing with an invisible man.

Q: “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.

Griffin can be considered lawless because he disregarded social norms and laws. He uses his invisibility to steal money, attack people, and escape from authorities without any regard for the consequences of his actions. His pursuit of scientific achievement comes at the cost of ethical and moral considerations.

Q: How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?

As a scientist, Griffin is undoubtedly brilliant and innovative, having discovered the means to become invisible. However, his lack of ethical responsibility, disregard for the consequences of his actions, and the reckless application of his discoveries overshadow his scientific accomplishments. His obsession with his experiments leads to destructive and antisocial behavior.

Q: Would you like to become invisible? What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee, if you did?

Becoming invisible could have advantages such as the ability to observe situations unnoticed, escape danger, or access restricted areas. However, it also presents significant disadvantages, including the loss of normal social interactions, the ethical implications of invading privacy, and the potential for misuse of such a power. Being invisible might lead to isolation and difficulties in leading a normal life.

Q: Are there forces around us that are invisible, for example, magnetism? Are there aspects of matter that are ‘invisible’ or not visible to the naked eye? What would the world be like if you could see such forces or such aspects of matter?

Yes, there are invisible forces such as magnetism, gravity and electromagnetic waves. Many aspects of matter, such as atoms and molecules, are not visible to the naked eye. If we could see these forces and aspects, the world would look vastly different. We might see fields of energy around magnets, the flow of air currents, or the interactions between subatomic particles. This enhanced perception could revolutionize science and technology, but it might also overwhelm our senses and complicate our understanding of everyday experiences.

Q: What makes glass or water transparent (what is the scientific explanation for this)? Do you think it would be scientifically possible for a man to become invisible, or transparent? (Keep in mind that writers of science fiction have often turned out to be prophetic in their imagination!)

Glass and water are transparent because their molecules do not absorb visible light; instead, they allow light to through with minimal scattering. For a man to become invisible, his body would need to bend light around it or become transparent in a similar manner. While current scientific understanding does not support the feasibility of such a transformation in the way depicted in fiction, advancements in material science and optics could potentially lead to technologies that mimic invisibility to some extent, such as cloaking devices. Science fiction often inspires real scientific breakthroughs, so the idea of invisibility remains an intriguing possibility for the future.