The Invisible Man by H.G.

Wells
Question no. 12 & 13 will be based on plot / incidents and character of the novel
(6 marks each)
Questions based on Plot / Incidents
Q. The Invisible Man is the story of the downfall of man after he cuts himself off from his kind and
becomes inhuman. Comment
Or
The Invisible Man deals with the theme of over ambition and mans lust for power and money. Do you
agree? Support your answer.
Q. While talking to Dr.Kemp, what was referred to as the first stroke of luck by the Invisible Man? Was
it really a stroke of luck?
Q. Why did the stranger lock himself in his room from half past five till midday on Whit Monday? What
made him reveal the secret of his invisibility?
Q. How far do you find the title of the chapter The Hunter Hunted appropriate?
Q. Why did Marvel name his inn The Invisible Man?
Q. Describe the robbery episode at dawn in Buntings house?
Q. What did Mr. & Mrs. Hall experience when they entered the room of the stranger?
Q. Describe the episode of the unveiling of the stranger at Halls Inn.
Q. How did the invisible man, Mr Griffin, meet his end?
Q. Describe the episode of Mr. Thomas Marvels first meeting with the invisible man.
Q. Give a brief account of the investigation made by Dr. Cuss and Mr. Bunting in the room of the
invisible man at Coach & Horses.
Q. Describe the meeting of the invisible man with Dr. Kemp in Kemps bedroom.
Q. Which subject fascinated the invisible man and why?
Q. The secret in out, I gather it was a secret. What did Mr. Kemp mean by this statement and what was
the object behind this?
Q. Describe the scene at the Departmental Complex at closing time?
Q. What were the plans of Griffin before meeting Dr. Kemp? How did they change after they both met?
Q. What inhuman things did Dr. Kemp advice Adye to do in order to catch the invisible man in any case?
Questions based on Characters
Q. Do you consider Marvel to be a smart turncoat? Why/ Why not?
Q. Dr. Kemp comes out as a man of grit and determination. Attempt a brief character sketch of Dr Kemp
to elucidate this observation.
Q. Griffin was a brilliant scientist but a depraved human. In the light of this statement, draw a pen portrait
of Griffin.
Q. Describe the character of Mrs Hall.
Theme Analysis:
Corruption of Morals in the Absence of Social Restriction - The narrator uses the Invisible Man to
experiment with the depth to which a person can sink when there are no social restrictions to suppress his
behaviour. When Griffin first kills his father, he excuses it away by saying that the man was a
sentimental fool. When he takes the potion himself, he endures such pain that he understands why the
cat howled so much in the process of becoming invisible. Nevertheless he has no compassion for the cat,
for his father or for any of the people he takes advantage of in the course of trying to survive invisibility.
On the contrary, he descends from committing atrocities because they are necessary to his survival to
committing them simply because he enjoys doing so.

Characters

Major characters:
Griffin
Dr Kemp
Thomas Marvel
Mrs Hall

Minor characters:
Dr Cuss
Bobby Jaffers
Mr Hall
Vicar Bunting
Colonel Adye
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Heelas

Introduction
The Invisible Man is a science fiction, novel by H. G. Wells published in 1897. The Invisible Man of the
title is Griffin, a scientist who has devoted himself to research into optics and invents a way to change a
body's refractive index to that of air so that it absorbs and reflects no light and thus becomes invisible. He
successfully carries out this procedure on himself, but fails in his attempt to reverse the procedure.
Plot (The Invisible Man)
The plot is simple and straightforward. Griffin, having rendered himself invisible with an earlier
experiment, enters a town (Iping) and sets up a lab in an inn (Coach & Horses) where he works night and
day to come up with a formula that will reverse his invisibility. When he slips up and accidentally reveals
himself, he engages in immature and violent actions until he is forced to run and find a new hiding place.
He finds Marvel, a local tramp, vulnerable and poor and coerces him to be his accomplice in bringing
back his belongings from Iping. As more people become aware of his existence, his situation becomes
more perilous. Finally, he stumbles into the home of a former college professor whom he assumes will be
interested in his experiments and willing to help him. The doctor, Mr. Kemp, however, reads newspaper
accounts of Griffins insane actions against people in the town and betrays his trust. Griffin is hunted
down, caught and killed, whereupon he becomes visible again. The poor, inconspicuous victim (Marvel)
of some of Griffins behaviour is left with the stolen money and the documents that explain Griffins
experiments. The story closes with the suggestion that Marvel himself might try the experiments if only
he could figure them out.
Major Episodes of Novel
The Strange Mans Arrival(Chapter 1)- A sinister stranger arrives in the small village of Iping,
where he hires a room at the local inn. The innkeepers, Mr and Mrs Hall, are immediately unnerved
by their guests appearance, for his head is completely wrapped up in bandages, his eyes concealed by
large dark goggles, and his body wrapped in a thick black coat (for more details refer page no. 200
of bbc companion, novel)
Invisible Man, talk of town (Ch 2,3,4)- As the locals become suspicious and curious of the strange
man, who seems to be conducting some kind of scientific experiment in the inns parlour. Local
people started making different opinions and stories..Mr Teddy Henfreys first ImpressionMr Cuss
Intreviews the Stranger (for more details refer page no. 222)

The Burglary at the Vicarage(Ch 5)- As days went by, the stranger began to run short of money.
Hence to carry on research and settle the bills, Griffin shed all his clothes and broke into Vicar
Buntings house in the wee hours of Whit Monday (for more details refer page no. 229)
The Furniture that went Mad(Ch 6)- Early hours of Whit MondayMr &Mrs Hall go
down.ready the stocks for festivalMr Hall goes up againbolt of front door shot back..knocks
at the strangers door. the room is empty. Mrs Hall comes to see bed clothes jump together
couple is pushed out Millie goes to call the blacksmith stranger appears from the room
The Unveiling of the Stranger (Ch 7)- the door is shut on Mr Hall the stranger is in his room rings
his bell three times rumour of burglary spreads the stranger opens door.calls Mrs Hall asks for
meals Mrs Hall wants the bill paid..the stranger reveals himself to Mrs HallMr Hall and Mr Bobby
Jaffers come Jaffers faces headless figure Jaffer faces headless wrist and throat the strangers
surrendersJaffers grips the handless wrist and throat the stranger surrenders Jaffers produces hand
cuffs.the figure sits downflungs off his coat (for more details refer page no. 243)
Mr Thomas Marvel (Ch 9)- Mr Thomas Marvel..a local tramp sitting by the roadsidetrying on pair of
boots . hears a voice behind himtries to look for the voice Marvel talks with the invisible man
Mr Marvels visit to Iping(Ch 10)- Marvel finds hard to believe this strange phenomenon. The Invisible
Man convinces him about the immense power of invisibility. Out of fear, Marvel agrees to assist him
stop at Coach And Horses Huxter sets off after Mr Marvel (for more details refer page no. 254)
In the Coach and Horses (Ch 11)- Mr Marvel comes to Coach and Horses Mrs Cuss and Mr Bunting
in the parlourCuss finds three big books..he glances through the books.the door opens suddenlya
rosy face with hat appears..the intruder vanishes Cuss has strange feeling..the stranger is gripping his
neck
Mr Marvel Discusses his Resignation (Ch 13)- Mr Marvel going on the road to Bramblehurst
accompanied by the invisible manboth have long conversation suddenly Mr Marvel becomes
silent again resumes conversation a light appears through the trees Mr Marvel passes through the
village and vanishes (for more details refer page no. 267)
At Port Stowe (Ch 14)- Mr Marvel, dirty and tiredsitting with the books tiedlooks nervous and
uncomfortablea mariner with a newspaper sits beside himtalks to Mr Marvel. story of the invisible
man in the newspaper suddenly Mr Marvel rises and decides to gothe mariner is angry with Mr
Marvel.Mr Marvel recedes obliquely with some violent jerks forward (for more details refer page no.
271)
The Man who was Running (Ch 15)- It is early eveningDr Kemp sits in his villa a tall and slender
young manviews sunsetnotices a little manrunning fast suddenly the invisible man
appears..people start shouting.. get into their houses
Jolly Cricketers (Ch 16) Marvel seems to be desperate to escape from the trap of the Invisible Man.
The men at the Jolly Cricketers (name of inn) take on challenge posed by the Invisible Man with grit.
The failure to catch Marvel upsets the Invisible Man.
Dr Kemps Visitor (Ch 17) - Dr Kemp hears the gunshot by the American at the Invisible Man when
latter was trying to escape. He finds out that this man is Griffin, his fellow medical student from
University College. The arrival of the Invisible man at Dr. Kemps house untangles many threads of the
mystery. Dr Kemp patiently listens to Griffin and gains his confidence by providing him food and
shelter.(for more details refer page no. 285-286)

The Invisible man Sleeps (Ch 18) The invisible man is wounded and exhaustedexamines the
window of the bedroombids good night Kemp begins walking in the roomreads news about the
events in Ipingorders servants to prepare breakfast for two personsthe invisible man wakes up.
Certain First Principles (Ch 19)- Griffin reveals to Dr Kemp the details of how he discovered
invisibility. While carrying out experiments he ran out of money. To overcome financial crunch he stole
his fathers money. This theft led to his fathers death because the money did not belong to him.
At the House in Great Portland Street (Ch 20)- Kemp stares at the headless figure at the window
offers his chair to him Griffin resumes again takes a room in Londonbought the apparatusa cat
sitting outside the windowgive some foodadministered the drug an old woman came to his
room..cat walks out of the window.landlord comes to serve eviction noticeseeing Griffins face, the
man goes back..sets fire to the room (for more details refer page no. 301-302)
In Oxford Street ( Ch 21) Griffin recounts his experiences after having set ablaze his lodgings. A
complete reversal of expected happenings awaits him. He struggles to adjust to situations created by his
invisible status. (for more details refer page no. 308-310)
In the Emporium(Ch 22)- A snowstorm in winterGriffin manages to enter a large departmental store
(Omniums)..manages food and clothingspends night inside the store..however, he was discovered he
had to shed his clothes.run away .(for more details refer page no. 314)
In the Drury Lane (Ch 23) The invisible man realises disadvantages of his condition.. has no
shelter..enters a customer shop follows the shop owner upstairsknocks the man unconscious
collects everything he needsdresses himself and comes out..snowstorm outside he realises bitter
truth invisibility has own limitations and problemshe decides to move to some countryside and
experiment ways to regain visibility.
The Plan that Failed (Ch 24)- Kemp tries to keep Griffin talking..some people come to the hill to his
houseGriffin says he has changed his plans to go a warm place..plans to establish the reign of terror
with support of Dr Kemp.needs to get books from Marvel. suddenly hears some people(Col Adye &
two men) sneaking in the houseGriffin takes off his clothes.Kemp tries to capture him but Griffin
escapes .(for more details refer page no.325-326 )
The Hunting of the Invisible(Ch 25)- Kemp is unable to tell colonel Adye the things just happenedhe
tells Adye Griffin is going furiousAdye says that Griffin must be caught..he should not be allowed to
eat or sleepgets dogs to smell himevery corner should be searched.(for more details refer page no.
320)
The Wicksteed Murder(Ch 26)- Griffin proceeds to Hintondean where he murders Mr Wicksteed, Lord
Burdocks steward. After this he lies low while the efforts to trace him are in full swing.
The Siege of Kemps House (Ch 27)- Griffin announces, through a letter addressed to Kemp, his resolve
to unleash an epoch of terror by killing Kemp. Realising the seriousness of the matter, Kemp sends his
maid to Adye with a note about this letter offering to be bait for Griffin. Griffin snatches this note from a
girl and as Kemp awaits the police party Griffin tries to enter the house by breaking windowpanes. A
scuffle ensues and Adye is shot by Griffin. The policemen that are brought by the maid try their utmost to
capture Griffin but he manages to escape once again. .(for more details refer page no.343-344 )
The Hunting of the Hunter , The Invisible Man (Ch 28) Kemp reaches his neighbour, Mr Heelas to
seek refuge from Griffin who is in hot pursuit behind him. The neighbour turns out to be a weak man and
denies any help to Kemp. He then moves on the thorny paths so that invisible Griffins bare feet injured
and the blood trail is helpful in spotting him. Soon some people move out of their houses to help Kemp.
Finally, Griffin meets his painful end at the hands of public after a brief struggle. The evil life of the

Invisible Man meets the end it deserved. The voluntary help from the common masses proves that united
efforts always succeed. Kemps exemplary courage and presence of mind finally relieves the society of
the evil Griffin. (for more details refer page no. 348-349)