Footprints without Feet ( H. G. WELLS)
Author Introduction
Introduction to H.G. Wells ( September 21, 1866 - August 13, 1946)
Herbert George Wells, widely known as H.G. Wells, was born on 21st September 1866 at Atlas House, 162 High Street, Bromley, Kent, England. He was the fourth and youngest child of Joseph Wells and Sarah Neal, who affectionately called him "Bertie".
Wells is celebrated as one of the pioneers of science fiction literature, often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction." His literary career spans across novels, short stories, social commentary, satire, biographies, and autobiographies. Through his sharp imagination and keen observations, Wells not only created groundbreaking science fiction stories but also offered insightful critiques of society, politics, and human behavior.
Some of his most notable works include:
The Time Machine (1895)
The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896)
The Invisible Man (1897)
The War of the Worlds (1898)
The War in the Air (1907)
Wells's writings have had a profound influence on literature and modern science fiction, blending imagination with scientific concepts and reflecting on the potential consequences of technological advancements. His legacy remains alive through his timeless stories and thought-provoking ideas.
Introduction
The lesson "Footprints Without Feet" is taken from the novel The Invisible Man. The novel The Invisible Man is written by H.G.Wells. It was published in the year 1897 .
The lesson "Footprints Without Feet" narrates the troubles caused by an invisible scientist to the society.
The characters of the story are,
Griffin
The narrator
Mr and Mr Halls
Landlord
Constable
Two boys
Assistant
Shopkeeper
Clergy man and his wife
The moral of the lesson is that one should not misuse science and its marvellous discoveries since doing so can turn even the most brilliant scientist into a frightening lawless individual.
Summary:
"Footprints Without Feet" by H.G. Wells
"Footprints Without Feet" by H.G. Wells tells the story of Griffin, a brilliant but morally corrupt scientist who discovers the secret of invisibility through an experimental drug. However, instead of using his discovery for the betterment of humanity, Griffin misuses his power, leading to chaos and destruction.
The story begins with two boys noticing fresh muddy footprints on the steps of a house, but to their shock, there is no one creating them. The footprints gradually fade away, leaving the boys in awe and fear. These footprints belong to Griffin, the invisible man, who has used his invisibility to escape after setting his landlord’s house on fire in revenge for a quarrel.
After fleeing, Griffin finds himself in London during the harsh winter, naked and vulnerable due to his invisibility. To survive the cold, he sneaks into a large store at night. He helps himself to warm clothes, food, and shelter. However, when the store opens the next morning, he is forced to flee again. Griffin then breaks into a theatrical costume shop, where he steals clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, dark glasses, and a fake nose to disguise himself.
Griffin then travels to the village of Iping in search of a quiet refuge. He books a room at an inn and stays there, hoping to continue his experiments and find a way to reverse his invisibility. However, his secretive behavior and odd appearance arouse suspicion among the villagers, especially Mrs. Hall, the innkeeper. Griffin starts running out of money and resorts to theft to sustain himself.
One night, a clergyman's house is burgled, and the villagers suspect Griffin. When Mrs. Hall confronts him about his strange behavior, Griffin loses his temper and reveals his invisible form. The villagers panic, and chaos ensues as Griffin uses his power to threaten and intimidate them.
The village constable, Mr. Jaffers, tries to arrest Griffin, but capturing an invisible man proves to be nearly impossible. Griffin uses his invisibility to attack, escape, and leave behind a trail of fear and confusion.
The story serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of power without responsibility. Griffin’s invisibility, which could have been a groundbreaking scientific achievement, becomes a curse due to his selfishness and lack of morality.
Moral: Scientific knowledge and power must always be accompanied by ethical responsibility. Otherwise, they can become tools of destruction rather than progress.
Thinking about the text:
1. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans) Griffin was a brilliant scientist who successfully discovered a rare drug that could make the human body invisible. However, instead of using his discovery for the betterment of humanity, he misused it for personal gain and criminal activities. His brilliance was overshadowed by his lack of morality and ethical responsibility.
2. The two boys in London were surprised and fascinated. Why?
Ans) The two boys were amazed when they noticed muddy footprints of bare feet appearing mysteriously on the ground. To their astonishment, the footprints gradually became fainter and eventually disappeared completely. The absence of a visible person responsible for these footprints filled them with curiosity and fascination about the strange phenomenon.
3. What did Griffin do inside the London store?
Ans) Inside the London store, Griffin sought refuge from the bitter cold. He broke open boxes and dressed himself in warm clothes, including shoes, an overcoat, and a hat. He also enjoyed food and coffee to satisfy his hunger. Later, he settled down on a pile of quilts to rest and regain his strength.
4. How did Griffin escape from the London store?
Ans) Griffin was discovered by the store assistants when they arrived in the morning. In a state of panic, he started removing his clothes one by one to become invisible. Despite being chased by the staff, his invisibility allowed him to evade capture and successfully escape from the store unnoticed.
5. Griffin entered the shop of a theatrical company. What did he do there?
Ans) In the theatrical company’s shop, Griffin found a perfect disguise. He wore dark glasses, a false nose, a large hat, and bandages to cover his face. Afterward, he struck the shopkeeper, stole money, and fled the shop. These items allowed him to conceal his invisibility and move around unnoticed.
6. Why was the arrival of the stranger in a village inn an unusual event? Give two reasons.
Ans) The arrival of the stranger was unusual because he came to the village in winter, a time when visitors were rare. Additionally, his strange appearance—face wrapped in bandages, large dark glasses, and a hat—made him look highly mysterious. His secretive behavior further raised suspicion and curiosity among the villagers.
7. How did the scientist look when he came to the inn?
Ans) Griffin appeared highly mysterious when he arrived at the inn. His face was completely wrapped in bandages, he wore dark glasses, and a false nose covered his features. A large, wide-brimmed hat completed his disguise, giving him a peculiar and unsettling appearance that made him stand out in the quiet village.
8. The landlord's wife was convinced that Griffin was an 'eccentric scientist.' What made her think of Griffin in these terms?
Ans) Mrs. Hall considered Griffin an eccentric scientist because of his odd behavior. He preferred to stay isolated, kept his room locked, and avoided interacting with anyone. His irritability, strange habits, and secretive nature convinced her that he was not a regular guest but a peculiar and eccentric scientist.
9. What was 'the curious episode' that took place in the clergyman's study?
Ans) In the clergyman's study, strange sounds of money being taken from a drawer were heard. Despite their immediate search, they found no one in the room, yet the money had mysteriously vanished. This baffling incident, with no logical explanation, left the clergyman and his wife both terrified and confused.
10. The landlord and his wife were surprised to see the scientist's door wide open. Why were they surprised? What extraordinary things happened in the room?
Ans) The landlord and his wife were shocked because Griffin always kept his door locked. Inside the room, they witnessed chairs and other furniture moving on their own, as if controlled by an invisible force. This bizarre and chaotic scene terrified them and left them utterly bewildered.
11. Mrs. Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. Pick out one example of humor from what follows this incident.
Ans) Mrs. Hall entered Griffin's room and witnessed a chair rise into the air and push her out of the room. Terrified, she believed it was a ghostly spirit causing the chaos. This incident, while frightening to her, also had an element of humor in the absurdity of the situation.
12. The scientist was furious. What did he do in anger? Why were the people in the bar horrified?
Ans) In a fit of anger, Griffin removed his bandages, false nose, and glasses, revealing his invisible face. The sight of a seemingly headless man walking and speaking horrified the people in the bar. They panicked and fled in fear, unable to comprehend the strange and terrifying sight before them.
13. What happened to the constable?
Ans) The constable, Jaffers, tried to arrest Griffin but found it nearly impossible to seize an invisible man. Griffin removed his clothes and became completely invisible, striking Jaffers repeatedly. Despite his efforts, Jaffers was overpowered, knocked unconscious, and left lying on the ground by Griffin’s invisible blows.
14. The scientist was a man of 'irritable temper.' Give an example to prove this.
Ans) Mrs. Hall questioned Griffin about his locked room and secretive behavior. Instead of responding calmly, Griffin lost his temper and became aggressive. His angry outburst and refusal to provide any explanation highlighted his short-tempered and irritable nature, leaving Mrs. Hall shocked and frightened.
Language Work
(A) You have been asked to inform students of class IX to XII about an Inter-School Debate on 'Aliens can invade the Earth'. Draft a notice in 50 words to be put on the school notice board with all necessary details.
Exam Format ( Hint: Necessary of Rectangular Box)
XYZ SCHOOL, JAMMU & KASHMIR
NOTICE
Date: [Insert Date]
INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITION
All students from Classes IX to XII are informed about an Inter-School Debate Competition on the topic "Aliens Can Invade the Earth." The details of the event are as follows:
Date: [Insert Date]
Venue: School Auditorium
Time: [Insert Time]
Interested students are requested to submit their names to their class teachers by [Insert Deadline]. For further queries, contact the undersigned.
[Signature]
[Name]
[Designation, e.g., Head Boy/Head Girl/Coordinator]
Punctuate the Following:
a) one day walking together up the hill i said to Rahim do you not wish yourself in your own country again yes he said. what would you do there said i would you turn wild and eat mens flesh again. He looked full of concern and shaking his head, said no.
b) welcome he said, be seated now tell me what brings you here at this late hour. I came to consult you on an important matter, said the visitor. Can I confide you, yes certainly, replied he.
c) good morning boys said the mother there is some news for you today guess what it is I know mother said jack you are going to take us all up to London for a treat no answered their mother you are quite wrong but it is something about going all the same heres a letter from your uncle inviting you and tom to go and spend a month of your holidays with your cousin how would you boys like to stay on a farm please mother do let us go they cried it would be fun to stay on a farm.
d) your son is certainly a boy of ability said the headmaster but it all depends upon you whether he is to do well at school what an extraordinary statement said the father how can his progress possibly depend upon me you can see replied the headmaster that he does his homework carefully oh yes said the father I can at least do that much.
Ans)
a) One day, walking together up the hill, I said to Rahim, "Do you not wish yourself in your own country again?"
"Yes," he said.
"What would you do there?" said I. "Would you turn wild and eat men's flesh again?"
He looked full of concern and, shaking his head, said, "No."
b)
"Welcome," he said. "Be seated. Now tell me, what brings you here at this late hour?"
"I came to consult you on an important matter," said the visitor. "Can I confide in you?"
"Yes, certainly," he replied.
c)
"Good morning, boys," said the mother. "There is some news for you today. Guess what it is."
"I know, mother," said Jack. "You are going to take us all up to London for a treat."
"No," answered their mother, "you are quite wrong. But it is something about going all the same. Here's a letter from your uncle inviting you and Tom to go and spend a month of your holidays with your cousin. How would you boys like to stay on a farm?"
"Please, mother, do let us go," they cried. "It would be fun to stay on a farm."
d)
"Your son is certainly a boy of ability," said the headmaster, "but it all depends upon you whether he is to do well at school."
"What an extraordinary statement," said the father. "How can his progress possibly depend upon me?"
"You can see," replied the headmaster, "that he does his homework carefully."
"Oh yes," said the father. "I can at least do that much."
Writing Work
Let us learn certain necessary points about writing. Whenever a writer starts writing anything like a poem, a short story, a letter or an essay, s/he first plans what s/he will write, how s/he will organize the material, and how s/he will give to her/his ideas the shape of words, phrases, verses, sentences, etc. And finally s/he checks that piece of writing for any error/s in spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, etc., and then rewrites that piece of writing without any error/s. These different steps or stages in writing are referred to as CODER. The CODER will give you an idea about how to do your writing work in the form of precise paragraphing writing.
C: Stands for collecting ideas/ information about the topic.
O: Stands for ordering/organizing the ideas/ information collected about the topic.
D: Stands for drafting, i.e., writing the first draft from the collected ideas/ information.
E: Stands for editing the first draft for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary etc.
R: Stands for redrafting/rewriting the first draft after editing.
Thus following the CODER rule/ technique, a person can not only make his piece of writing readable and comprehensible for his reader/s, but also flawless in language.
But it is important to note that just as we learn to read by reading or we learn to speak by speaking, similarly, we learn to write by writing. That is to say that writing is an art which can be learnt only by practice. Thus the rule discussed above, i.e., the CODER rule/ technique is, therefore, not a theoretical one but a practical one.
Have you seen the movie 'Mr India', starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi? Anil Kapoor does many wonderful things in the movie, e.g., he feeds the poor, takes care of orphan children and punishes the cruel people by wearing a ring in his finger which makes him invisible. Write a short paragraph on the things you would like to do if you became invisible.
If I became invisible, I would use the opportunity to help people in need and make the world a kinder place. I would silently assist those who are struggling, like leaving food and supplies for the poor or comforting those who feel forgotten. I’d stand up against injustice by exposing wrongdoers and protecting the vulnerable. Being invisible would also allow me to observe and understand people better, helping me find new ways to spread kindness and resolve conflicts. It wouldn’t be about power or mischief, but about making a meaningful difference in ways that could touch lives without seeking recognition.