Q.1. How did Griffin become invisible and what were the consequences of his discovery?
Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist who carried out repeated experiments to discover how the human body could become invisible. After many trials, he swallowed certain rare drugs that made his body as transparent as glass, though it remained solid. His experiment was successful, and he became completely invisible. However, his success brought him more trouble than happiness.

Because of his invisibility, he had to remove his clothes to escape after setting fire to his landlord’s house. This left him homeless, without money and wandering the cold streets of London. His invisibility forced him to steal food, clothes and money for survival. Thus, his great scientific achievement turned into a source of misery and crime.

Q.2. Describe Griffin’s activities in the London store.
Answer: To escape the bitter cold of mid-winter, Griffin slipped into a big London store at closing time. After the doors were shut, he broke open boxes and wrappers and helped himself to warm clothes. He wore shoes, an overcoat and a wide-brimmed hat, making himself fully dressed and visible.

He then entered the restaurant section, where he ate cold meat and drank coffee. He also took sweets and wine from the grocery store. Finally, he went to sleep on a pile of quilts. However, he woke up late the next morning and had to remove his clothes again to escape from the store assistants.

Q.3. Why was Griffin described as a lawless person?
Answer: Griffin was described as lawless because he showed no respect for law or morality. When his landlord tried to evict him, he set fire to the house out of revenge. He did not think about the danger he caused to others. His actions clearly show his selfish and irresponsible nature.

Later, he stole clothes and food from a London store and robbed a theatrical shopkeeper after attacking him from behind. He also stole money from a clergyman’s house. These repeated criminal acts prove that Griffin misused his scientific discovery for unlawful purposes.

Q.4. Why did Griffin visit Drury Lane and what did he do there?
Answer: After escaping from the London store without clothes, Griffin was shivering in the cold January air. He decided to visit Drury Lane, the centre of the theatre world, in search of clothes and something to hide his invisible face.

At a theatrical shop, he secretly entered upstairs and later came out wearing bandages, dark glasses, a false nose, bushy side-whiskers and a large hat. Before leaving, he attacked the shopkeeper from behind and robbed him of money. This helped him travel to the village of Iping.

Q.5. Why did Mrs Hall consider Griffin an eccentric scientist?
Answer: Mrs Hall found Griffin strange because of his unusual appearance and behaviour. He kept his face covered with bandages, wore dark glasses and avoided social interaction. He said that an accident had affected his face and that he desired solitude for his work.

Although he was rude and quick-tempered, Mrs Hall tolerated him because he paid in advance. She believed that his strange habits were due to his scientific nature. However, she became suspicious when unusual incidents began to occur at the inn.

Q.6. Describe the strange events that took place in Griffin’s room at the inn.
Answer: One morning, Mrs Hall and her husband found Griffin’s door open and the room empty, though his clothes and bandages were lying there. Suddenly, Mrs Hall heard a sniff near her ear, and the hat on the bedpost jumped up and struck her face.

The bedroom chair became alive and charged at them, pushing them out of the room. The door then slammed and locked itself. These strange happenings convinced Mrs Hall that the room was haunted by spirits, though in reality Griffin was invisible inside the room.

Q.7. How did Griffin reveal his identity at the inn?
Answer: When Mrs Hall questioned Griffin about the strange happenings and the stolen money, he became furious. In anger, he declared that she did not understand who or what he was and decided to show everyone the truth.

He suddenly removed his bandages, whiskers, spectacles and even his false nose. The people in the bar were shocked to see a headless man standing before them. By removing his disguise, Griffin revealed that he was invisible.

Q.8. Describe the scene of Griffin’s escape from the constable.
Answer: When Mr Jaffers, the constable, arrived to arrest Griffin, he was surprised to find that he had to arrest a headless man. Griffin began removing his clothes one by one, becoming more invisible as he did so.

Soon the constable found himself struggling with someone he could not see. Griffin knocked him unconscious and managed to escape. The villagers tried to catch him but failed, as no one could see or hold him. The incident left the people frightened and amazed.

Q.9. Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house? What does this incident reveal about his character?
Answer: Griffin’s landlord disliked him and tried to eject him from the house. Instead of accepting the situation calmly, Griffin decided to take revenge. In anger, he set fire to the house to punish his landlord. To escape without being seen, he removed his clothes and fled while invisible.

This incident reveals Griffin’s violent and revengeful nature. He acted selfishly without caring about the safety of others. His actions show that although he was a brilliant scientist, he lacked moral responsibility and self-control.

Q.10. How did the two boys react to the mysterious footprints in London?
Answer: The two boys were greatly surprised when they saw fresh muddy footprints of bare feet on the steps of a house in London. They were confused because there was no visible person making those marks. As they watched, more footprints appeared one after another.

Filled with curiosity and fascination, the boys followed the footprints down the street. However, as the muddy impressions gradually faded and disappeared, they were left puzzled and amazed. They could not understand the mystery behind the strange sight.

Q.11. Why was Griffin’s invisibility both a gift and a curse?
Answer: Griffin’s invisibility was a remarkable scientific achievement. It allowed him to escape from difficult situations and move about without being seen. For example, he easily escaped from the boys in London and later from the constable in Iping.

However, his invisibility also brought him great suffering. He could not move about comfortably without clothes, especially in the bitter cold of winter. He had no money and had to depend on stealing for survival. Thus, what seemed like a powerful gift became a source of hardship and trouble.

Q.12. Why did Griffin go to the village of Iping?
Answer: Griffin wanted to escape from crowded London and find a quiet place where he could continue his experiments peacefully. Therefore, he took a train to the small village of Iping and booked two rooms at the local inn.

He desired solitude and did not wish to be disturbed in his work. His strange appearance and secretive behaviour, however, soon attracted the attention and suspicion of the villagers.

Q.13. Describe the burglary at the clergyman’s house.
Answer: Early one morning, a clergyman and his wife heard noises coming from their study. When they went downstairs quietly, they heard the sound of money being taken from the desk. The clergyman suddenly opened the door and ordered the thief to surrender.

To their astonishment, the room appeared empty. The money was missing, yet there was no one to be seen. In reality, Griffin had stolen the money while invisible. This mysterious event left the clergyman and his wife shocked and confused.

Q.14. How did suspicion fall on Griffin in the village?
Answer: After the burglary at the clergyman’s house, the villagers were already uneasy about Griffin’s strange behaviour. He had earlier admitted that he had no money, yet suddenly he produced some cash. This made the villagers suspicious.

Moreover, unusual events were taking place in his room at the inn. His secretive manner and bad temper increased people’s doubts. Gradually, suspicion grew stronger that he was involved in the theft.

Q.15. Describe Griffin’s temperament as shown in the story.
Answer: Griffin was shown to be quick-tempered and impatient. He did not like to be questioned and became angry when disturbed. When Mrs Hall asked him about the strange happenings, he lost his temper immediately.

His anger often led him to act violently and irresponsibly. Whether it was setting fire to the house or attacking the shopkeeper, Griffin reacted harshly to problems. His lack of emotional control added to his troubles.

Q.16. How did Mrs Hall react to the strange happenings in Griffin’s room?
Answer: Mrs Hall was terrified when she saw furniture moving on its own. The hat hit her face, and the chair charged at her and her husband. She almost fell down the stairs in fear and hysteria.

She believed that the room was haunted by spirits and thought that Griffin had caused these supernatural events. Her fear spread among the villagers, increasing the mystery and tension in the story.

Q.17. Describe the role of Mr Jaffers in the story.
Answer: Mr Jaffers was the village constable who was sent to arrest Griffin on suspicion of theft. He was surprised to find that he had to arrest a headless man, but he remained determined to perform his duty.

Even when Griffin started becoming invisible by removing his clothes, Mr Jaffers tried to hold him firmly. However, Griffin overpowered him and knocked him unconscious. Though unsuccessful, Mr Jaffers showed courage and dedication to his duty.

Q.18. What lesson do you learn from the story ‘Footprints without Feet’?
Answer: The story teaches that scientific knowledge without moral responsibility can be dangerous. Griffin was intelligent and talented, but he misused his discovery for selfish purposes. His actions brought fear and suffering to others.

It also shows that wrongdoing ultimately leads to trouble. Instead of gaining respect and success, Griffin became a criminal and a fugitive. The story reminds us that wisdom must be guided by ethics and humanity.

Q.19. How does the author create suspense in the story?
Answer: The author creates suspense by describing mysterious events such as the appearance of footprints without a visible person and the burglary in an empty room. These strange happenings keep the reader curious and eager to know the truth.

The scenes at the inn, where furniture moves and a headless man is seen, add excitement and tension. Gradually, the mystery unfolds, maintaining interest throughout the story.

Q.20. Give a character sketch of Griffin.
Answer: Griffin was a brilliant but selfish scientist who discovered how to make himself invisible. He was intelligent and determined, as shown by his repeated experiments and scientific success.

However, he lacked moral values and compassion. He was revengeful, dishonest and quick-tempered. Instead of using his discovery for the benefit of society, he misused it for personal gain, which ultimately made him a feared and disliked figure.