Footprints without Feet
Footprints without Feet by H.G. Wells tells of a brilliant scientist who makes himself invisible and misuses his discovery. The page gives a clear summary, the theme, the character of Griffin and exam-style questions.
Learning objectives
- Recall the events of the story.
- Understand the theme of misuse of science.
- Describe the character of Griffin.
- Answer comprehension and exam questions.
Key concepts
Summary
Griffin is a gifted but lawless scientist who discovers how to make his body invisible. The story opens with two boys in London puzzled by muddy footprints that appear by themselves — the marks of the invisible Griffin. Pursued and short of money, Griffin breaks into shops, steals, and sets a shop on fire to escape. To rest and stay warm, he takes shelter at an inn in the village of Iping, paying with stolen money, which arouses the landlady Mrs Hall's suspicion. When his thefts come to light and the villagers and a constable try to seize him, Griffin throws off his disguise to become invisible again and escapes, after a violent struggle. Throughout, he uses his extraordinary scientific gift not for good but for crime and to harm others.
Theme
The central theme is the misuse of science and the danger of knowledge without responsibility or morality. Griffin's brilliant discovery, in the hands of a lawless and selfish man, becomes a tool for theft and violence rather than benefit, showing that science can be harmful when not guided by good values.
The character of Griffin
Griffin is a brilliant scientist but also lawless, selfish and short-tempered. Although his invention of invisibility is remarkable, he is willing to rob, cheat and use violence to serve his own ends, making him a dangerous and unsympathetic figure who wastes his genius on crime.
About the author
H.G. Wells was a famous English writer often called a father of science fiction. This story is based on his novel about an invisible man, and it reflects his interest in the power of science and the warning that such power must be used wisely and responsibly.
Key definitions
- Invisible
- Unable to be seen, as Griffin makes himself.
- Science fiction
- Stories based on imagined scientific or technological possibilities.
- Lawless
- Not obeying the law; reckless and uncontrolled, like Griffin.
- Landlady
- A woman who runs an inn or lets rooms, like Mrs Hall.
Solved examples
Q1. What had Griffin discovered?
Solution: How to make his body invisible.
Q2. Why did the muddy footprints appear without feet?
Solution: They were made by the invisible Griffin walking through mud.
Q3. How does Griffin use his invisibility?
Solution: For theft, escape and violence — misusing his scientific gift.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking Griffin used his discovery for good (he misused it).
- Forgetting the footprints were made by an invisible man.
- Confusing the setting — he stays at an inn in Iping.
- Treating Griffin as a hero rather than a lawless figure.
Footprints without Feet — MCQ Quiz
10 questions with instant feedback. Use number keys 1–4 to answer.
Footprints without Feet was written by:
Practice questions
Short answer
What had Griffin invented?
A way to make his body invisible.
Why did footprints appear without feet?
Because the invisible Griffin walked through mud.
How does Griffin misuse his gift?
For theft, arson, escape and violence.
Long answer
How does Griffin misuse his scientific discovery in 'Footprints without Feet'?
Griffin's discovery of how to make himself invisible is an extraordinary scientific achievement, but he uses it almost entirely for wrongdoing. Instead of putting his genius to good use, the lawless and selfish Griffin turns invisibility into a tool for crime. He breaks into shops and steals goods and money, and when he needs to escape, he even sets a shop on fire. He uses stolen money to pay for a room at an inn in Iping, and when his thefts are discovered and people try to seize him, he removes his disguise to vanish and fights his way free, harming those who oppose him. At every turn, Griffin chooses theft, deception and violence over honesty or benefit to others. His misuse of invisibility shows how a remarkable scientific gift can become dangerous in the hands of someone without morals.
What warning about science does the story convey through Griffin?
Through the figure of Griffin, the story delivers a clear warning about the misuse of science and the danger of knowledge that is not guided by responsibility and good values. Griffin is undoubtedly brilliant — he achieves what others could only dream of by making himself invisible. Yet because he is lawless, selfish and quick to violence, his invention brings harm rather than good: it enables theft, arson and assault, and it makes him a menace to ordinary people. The story suggests that scientific power is neither good nor bad in itself, but becomes dangerous when wielded by someone without conscience. H.G. Wells thus reminds readers that science must be used wisely and responsibly, for the benefit of society, and that great ability without good character can be a curse rather than a blessing.
HOTS (Higher Order Thinking)
How might Griffin's discovery have helped people if used responsibly?
If guided by good values, such scientific genius could have been used for medicine, research or other benefits to society, rather than for crime.
Why does the story make Griffin unsympathetic despite his brilliance?
Because he uses his gift only for selfish, harmful ends, showing that intelligence without morality earns no admiration.
Quick revision
Revision notes
- Author: H.G. Wells; Griffin is a brilliant but lawless scientist.
- He discovers invisibility; mysterious muddy footprints are his.
- He steals, sets fire to a shop, hides at an inn in Iping (Mrs Hall suspects him).
- He escapes by becoming invisible; theme = misuse of science.
Key takeaways
- Griffin misuses a great scientific gift for crime.
- Science needs responsibility and good values.
- Brilliance without morality is dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Footprints without Feet?
The English science-fiction writer H.G. Wells.
What had Griffin discovered?
How to make himself invisible.
What is the theme?
The misuse of science and the danger of knowledge without responsibility.