NCERT English Class 10 | Chapter 5 | Footprints without Feet | Question Answer |

READ AND FIND OUT                                                                                  PAGE26-28

How did the invisible man first become visible?

Answer: The man first became visible after stepping on mud.

Why was he wandering the streets?

Answer: Griffin was lawless despite being a scientist. He sets his rented house on fire after being evicted by the landlord and to escape punishment, he removes his clothes and becomes invisible, wandering the streets of London after becoming homeless.

Why does Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?

Answer: The scientist comes in the winter and has a strange appearance, and although Mrs Hall tries hard to be friendly with Griffin, he only gives her an unfriendly response. He also makes it clear that he is not interested in talking to her and that he wants to spend time alone. Hence, Mrs Hall finds him eccentric.

What curious episode occurs in the study?

Answer: The sound of coins being taken from the clergyman’s desk in the study and the room being found empty is the curious episode that occurs. The desk is found open while the housekeeping money mysteriously goes missing.

What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?

Answer: The scientist’s room is wide open one day and there is no one. The clothes and bandages are strewn around. Mrs Hall, who comes there with her husband, hears a sniff and the hat lying on the bedpost hits her face. Even the bedroom chair levitates. And Mrs Hall is pushed. So is her husband.


THINK ABOUT IT                                                                                              PAGE 31

1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.

Answer: Despite being a scientist, Griffin was lawless. Many things prove this. First, he sets his landlord's house on fire, becomes invisible, steals clothes, and even money. He does everything he can to satisfy himself, not caring a bit about the law. He even hurts Mrs Hall by throwing a chair at her. He does the same to her husband. He is only interested in taking revenge and comes across as a narcissist.

2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?

Answer: Griffin was, without a shadow of a doubt, a superb scientist. He could even make his body invisible with the help of his scientific knowledge! Nonetheless, instead of using his invention to help others, he only hurt others.


TALK ABOUT IT                                                                                                  PAGE 31

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

Answer: I think it would be okay to be invisible. While the advantages can be many, I feel the disadvantages will outnumber the advantages. People could become invisible when they know that someone is about to attack them. Also, they can give surprises by becoming invisible and doing tasks that no one thought would be done. Even pranks could be played by becoming invisible. The disadvantages on the other hand would be loneliness and a feeling to mingle with people. Also, a lack of physical body may make one want to indulge in lawless activities as Griffin did.

2. Are there forces around us that are invisible, for example, magnetism? Are there aspects of the 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?

Answer: Of course, there are invisible forces around us. Many microorganisms too cannot be seen with the naked eye. I think if we could see such things, we would not be interested in leading the kind of lives we are currently leading.

3. 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!)

Answer: Transparent objects allow light to pass through them. Light alone makes it possible for us to see things. Also, if the human body stopped reflecting light, it would surely become invisible.


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