Footprints without Feet — Practice

Question 1

Who made the mysterious footprints, and what was special about him?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Griffin, a scientist who had made himself invisible.

Question 2

Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord's house?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: in revenge, because the landlord tried to evict him.

Question 3

Why did Griffin have to remove his clothes to escape?

Accepted Answer

Because clothes are visible; only by being unclothed could he remain completely invisible.

✦ Answer: to stay invisible, since clothes could be seen.

Question 4

What kind of person was Griffin?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — He was a brilliant and eccentric scientist who achieved the remarkable feat of becoming invisible.

Step 2 — But he was also lawless, bitter, homeless and dangerous, using his gift for revenge, theft and violence.

✦ Answer: a brilliant scientist but a lawless, bitter and dangerous man.

Question 5

How did Griffin get clothes and money after becoming invisible?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — He slipped into a big London store, spent the night there wearing stolen clothes and eating food, but had to flee when he overslept.

Step 2 — He then robbed a theatrical company for clothes and bandages to cover himself, and used stolen money at Iping.

✦ Answer: by robbing a London store and a theatrical company, and using stolen money.

Question 6

Why did the people of Iping become suspicious of Griffin?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — His strange, bandaged appearance and reserved, odd behaviour were unusual for a quiet village.

Step 2 — When money mysteriously disappeared (a burglary at the clergyman's) and his room seemed empty yet furniture moved on its own, the villagers grew frightened and suspicious.

✦ Answer: his odd bandaged look, the mysterious theft, and furniture moving on its own alarmed the villagers.

Question 7

How does 'Footprints without Feet' warn against the misuse of science?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Griffin achieves an extraordinary scientific feat — invisibility — that could have benefited the world.

Step 2 — Instead, lacking conscience and self-control, he uses it for revenge (arson), theft and violence.

Step 3 — His power brings him only loneliness, crime and eventual downfall, not happiness or good.

Step 4 — The story warns that scientific power in the hands of someone without morality or responsibility becomes dangerous.

✦ Answer: a great discovery is wasted and turned harmful by a scientist without conscience — showing science without responsibility is dangerous.

Question 8

What values does the story teach about talent and responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Talent and knowledge must be guided by conscience and used for good, not for selfish or harmful ends.

Step 2 — Power without self-control leads to crime, isolation and ruin, as Griffin's story shows.

Step 3 — Society and the law matter; no one is above them, however gifted.

Step 4 — Responsibility and morality are as important as brilliance.

✦ Answer: brilliance must be paired with conscience and responsibility; power misused destroys both others and oneself.

Practice — Footprints without Feet

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