TEACHGYAN • CLASS 10 ENGLISH • FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

Chapter 1 – Footprints Without Feet

Complete NCERT guide • H.G. Wells • Griffin • invisibility • character study • themes • competency and board practice

📖 Chapter Overview

“Footprints Without Feet” by H.G. Wells tells the story of Griffin, a scientist who discovers how to make the human body invisible. His scientific achievement could have been used constructively, but Griffin uses invisibility for theft, escape and personal advantage. The story explores the difference between scientific ability and ethical responsibility.

🔬 Griffin’s Discovery

Griffin discovers a scientific method that makes the human body transparent and therefore invisible. The discovery is extraordinary, but Griffin does not use it responsibly. He burns down his landlord’s house after being threatened with eviction and becomes a fugitive.

❄️ Invisibility and Practical Problems

Being invisible does not make Griffin free from physical needs. He needs clothes, food and shelter, and footprints in snow can reveal his presence. His invisibility therefore creates both advantages and practical difficulties.

🏨 Griffin in London

Griffin removes his clothes to remain invisible and eventually finds shelter in a London store. He steals clothes and other items when the store closes. The next morning he escapes after becoming visible when dressed.

🏘️ The Iping Episode

Griffin arrives at Iping and rents rooms at an inn. Mrs Hall is curious about her unusual guest because his face is hidden by bandages and dark glasses. Griffin gives explanations for his appearance, but his strange behaviour increases suspicion.

💰 Theft and Escape

Griffin steals money and food and later uses invisibility to escape when his identity is threatened. Instead of treating his discovery as a responsibility, he repeatedly uses it for personal benefit.

👤 Character Study: Griffin

• Intelligent: he develops an extraordinary scientific discovery.
• Secretive: he hides his identity and activities.
• Resourceful: he finds ways to survive while invisible.
• Self-centred: he repeatedly prioritises his own interests.
• Unethical: he uses scientific knowledge for theft and revenge.

🎯 Major Themes

Science and Responsibility

The story raises the question of whether scientific ability should be separated from ethical responsibility.

Misuse of Knowledge

Griffin’s discovery becomes dangerous because he uses it for selfish purposes.

Invisibility as Power

Invisibility gives Griffin unusual power, but it does not remove consequences.

Appearance and Identity

The story repeatedly shows the tension between what people see and what they cannot see.

📚 Important Vocabulary

Word	Meaning
Transparent	Allowing light to pass through so that objects can be seen
Invisibility	The state of being impossible to see
Burglar	A person who illegally enters a building to steal
Fugitive	A person escaping from authorities or danger
Eccentric	Unconventional or unusual in behaviour

✍️ Literary Features

• Science fiction: the narrative is built around a speculative scientific discovery.
• Suspense: Griffin’s unexplained behaviour creates uncertainty.
• Irony: a remarkable discovery produces increasingly harmful consequences.
• Imagery: footprints, clothing and physical surroundings help readers imagine an invisible person.

🧠 Competency-Based Questions

1. Why does scientific discovery alone not make Griffin admirable?
2. How does the story demonstrate the importance of ethical responsibility?
3. Why do Griffin’s practical problems remain despite his invisibility?
4. How does the writer use invisibility to create suspense?

📊 Case-Based Question

🔥 HOTS

1. Would Griffin’s discovery have been beneficial if he had used it ethically? Explain.
2. How does the story distinguish intelligence from good character?
3. What does Griffin’s invisibility symbolically represent about power without accountability?

✍️ Board-Style Questions

Short Answer

1. What extraordinary discovery did Griffin make?
2. Why did Griffin burn down his landlord’s house?
3. How did he manage to remain invisible?
4. Why did Mrs Hall become suspicious of Griffin?

Long Answer

1. Describe Griffin as a brilliant but irresponsible scientist.
2. How does the story present the relationship between scientific discovery and ethics?
3. Describe Griffin’s experiences after becoming invisible.

📝 Practice Worksheet

1. Create a timeline of Griffin’s major actions.
2. Prepare a cause-and-effect chart showing how invisibility changes Griffin’s life.
3. Write meanings for five vocabulary words.
4. Write a 60-word character sketch of Griffin.
5. Write 100 words on science and responsibility.
6. Write a 150-word analytical response on the misuse of knowledge.

🎯 One-Minute Revision

Griffin discovers invisibility → misuses discovery → burns house → steals clothes and money → reaches Iping → hides identity → suspicious behaviour → escape and continued misuse.

🏆 Mastery Checklist

• ☐ I can explain Griffin’s discovery.
• ☐ I can narrate the major events.
• ☐ I can analyse Griffin’s character.
• ☐ I can explain science versus ethical responsibility.
• ☐ I can answer competency and analytical questions.

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