-H.G. Wells
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Summary:
"Footprints without Feet" by H.G. Wells is a story revolving around a scientist who had become invisible and his life after that.
Griffin was a brilliant scientist.He had carried out an experiment which could make the human body invisible.But,he was a lawless and short-tempered person.When his landlord tried to eject him,he set fire to the house and got away naked.In this process,he had become invisible.Also,a homeless wanderer.But his troubles were yet to be ended.
It was winter season in London and he was trembling every now and then.Finally,he found shelter in a garments shop.He fitted himself out with the warm clothes in the store.He also treated himself with a meal from the restaurant.Finally,he slept on a pile of quilts.However, trouble followed him here too.
Next morning,when he was awaking,the storekeepers and his assistants were already arriving.He panicked and began to run.In order to stay ahead of the assistants,he finally had to part ways with his clothes.Again,he was completely exposed to chill air of January.
He again went to a shop where costumes are made for dramatists and finds a nice set of clothes and a length of dangling bandages which helped him to conceal his invisible body.
He decided to move away from London and travelled to the village of Iping.He resided there in Mrs.Hall's inn after paying her in advance.His arrival during the Winter season was a strange happening.
He,then,resorts to stealing money from the clergyman's house.He,then,paid money to Mrs.Hall which mad everyone suspicious that the scientist has definitely something to do with the theft at the clergyman's house.
A little later that morning,Mr.Hall and Mrs.Hall decided to investigate the scientist room as they found it to be open that day.After going inside,they found that the bedsheet was cold which meant that the scientist was up for some time now.The clothes and the bandages he wore were also lying on the bed.Then,things started to go wrong and chaos ensued.
The hat which was near the bedpost leapt up and dashed itself on to the face of Mrs.Hall.Then,the bedroom chair became alive by throwing itself at Mrs.Hall and charging her straight at the legs.The chair eventually pushed them out of the room and slammed the door behind them.
The village constable was sent for secretely.In the meantime,Mrs.Hall went to the scientist and started questioning her in an angry manner.The eccentric scientist was raged at this and opened all his bandages to astonish everyone near him.
Mr.Jaffers,the village constable,arrived at the scene to find to his astonishment that he had to arrest an invisible man.He was obviously struggling to get hold of the man.People found themselves hit by blows which were coming out of nowhere.Griffin had shaken himself free and nobody knew where to catch him.
Difficult Words:
1)Imprints:A mark or outline made by pressing something on to a softer substance.
2)Footmark:A footprint.
3)Wide-brimmed:Having a wide brim.
4)Quilts:A fabric made up of multiple layers of textile.
5)Side-whiskers:Whiskers and sideburns on a man's face.
6)Wagging:(Here)To signify suspicion.
7)Solitude:The state of being alone.
8)Clergyman:A male priest especially a Christian one.
9)Eccentric:Unconventional and slightly strange.
10)Sniff:The act or sound of sniffing.
11)Chimney:A vertical channel or pipe which helps to release smoke from a house or building.
12)Housekeeping:The money used for sustaining a house.
13)Springing:Move or jump suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards.
14)Slam:Shut forcefully and loudly.
About Author:
Herbert George Wells(21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography.His work also included two books on recreational war games.Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is often called the "father of science fiction".
NCERT Questions:
A)Think about It.
1)Yes,it is true that Griffin was a lawless person.When his landlord tried to eject him,he sets fire to his landlord's house.He robbed a theatrical shop in London and even knocked down the shopkeeper at the shop.Later,in the village of Iping,he robbed the clergyman of his housekeeping money.He also hits the villagers in Iping when his identity was revealed including the police constable Mr.Jaffers.These are some of the instances which show how Griffin was a lawless and notorious person.
2)Griffin was a brilliant scientist though.His capabilities can be easily recognised by the fact that he successfully found a method to make the human body invisible.He was quite great in his field where he had done exemplary work.But,his greatness is reduced by the fact that he was a lawless individual.
B)Talk about It.
1)Yes,I would like to be invisible for sometime but never for a prolonged time.There are various advantages and disadvantages of becoming invisible.One can go to various places undetected and roam around freely without any restrictions.Maybe we can also do a little mischief.But,the disadvantages are also at par.
One cannot interact with others in an effective manner.This will basically cut himself out in the long term.
2)There are various things and forces around us which are invisible.Yes,there are many other aspects of nature which exist but are not visible to us.For example,there is attractive force called gravity which keeps us bound with the Earth.
I think that the world will be a more exciting place to live in if we can see those forces.
3)In water,the electrons are arranged in such a way that instead of reflecting or absorbing the light,they let it pass through the fluid.
Hence,water is transparent.With the innovations in science and technology,the day is not far when scientists will find out a way to make objects invisible.
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