Chapter 5 of the Class 10 English textbook Footprints without Feet is titled “Footprints Without Feet” by H.G. Wells. This fascinating chapter is an excerpt from the famous science fiction story The Invisible Man. It describes Griffin’s discovery of invisibility and the consequences that follow, exploring the idea of scientific innovation and its ethical implications.
The NCERT Solutions for this prose chapter, prepared according to the latest NCERT syllabus and CBSE guidelines, enable students to study effectively and excel in their exams. These solutions contain questions from the textbook and is answered clearly and precisely, helping students thoroughly understand the story’s plot, characters, and its core themes.
The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 5 is designed to help students get a clearer understanding of the story and help answer key questions related to the chapter. The solutions are designed to improve understanding and preparation for the examination. Click the link below to download your free PDF:
An engaging story, Footprints Without Feet, is about Griffin, a scientist who finds a way to be invisible. Griffin learns the hard way that being invisible isn't without complications and dangers, which leads to questions concerning how responsible human beings should be with their scientific discoveries.
This chapter tackles some intriguing ideas:
1. How did the invisible man first become visible?
Ans. Griffin was completely invisible until he happened to step in some mud, which caused him to leave footprints as he walked. His footprints were seen by two boys, who followed him as long as the prints were visible. On getting rid of them, he went into a big London store to put on some warm clothes. After the store was shut, he got dressed by putting on shoes, an overcoat and a wide-brimmed hat. This made him visible to the people who came to work at the store the next day.
2. Why was he wandering the streets?
Ans. Griffin was a lawless person. His landlord disliked him and tried to get rid of him. In revenge, he set fire to the house. He had to remove his clothes to get away without being seen. This was why he had become a homeless wanderer-without clothes and money.
3. Why does Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?
Ans. The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in itself a strange occurrence. In addition, the stranger had an uncommon appearance. In spite of Mrs Hall's attempts to be friendly, he would respond in a cold manner. He rebuffed her by saying that he had no desire to talk and that all he wanted was solitude. He did not wish to be disturbed in his work. For all these reasons she regarded him as an eccentric scientist.
4. What curious episode occurs in the study?
Ans. A clergyman and his wife were awakened by noises in their study very early in the morning. Creeping downstairs, they heard the chink of money being taken from the clergyman's desk. However, when they entered the study, they did not find anybody there. He and his wife looked under the desk and behind the curtains, and even up the chimney. There wasn't a sign of anybody. Yet the desk had been opened and the housekeeping money was missing. This was very curious.
5. What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?
Ans. The landlord and his wife were surprised to see the scientist's door open. Usually, it is shut and locked and he becomes furious if anyone enters his room. The opportunity seems too good to be missed. They peep round the door, see nobody and decide to investigate. The bedclothes were cold, showing that the scientist must have been up for some time. All of a sudden, Mrs. Hall heard a sniff close to her ear. A moment later, the hat on the bedpost leapt up and dashed itself into her face. Then the bedroom chair became alive. Springing into the air it charged straight at her, legs foremost. As she and her husband turned away in terror, the extraordinary chair pushed them both out of the room and then appeared to slam and lock the door after them. Mrs Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. She was convinced that the room was haunted by spirits and the stranger had somehow caused these to enter into the furniture.
1. "Griffin was rather a lawless person." Comment.
Ans. Griffin was not bothered if he had harmed anybody in the fulfilment of what he wanted. He set his landlord's house on fire because the landlord tried to make him leave. Then his robberies at shops and later in the village indicate that he was a lawless person. When he encountered the landlady of the inn, he threw a chair at her and her husband. Lawless persons like Griffin never think about the safety and well-being of others. They are only concerned about themselves.
It is rightly said that Griffin was a lawless person. He was not a law-abiding citizen. A person who follows law and order of the country cannot think of damaging other's property. Griffin was not bothered if he had harmed anybody in the fulfilment of what he wanted. He set his landlord's house on fire because the landlord tried to make him leave and became a homeless wanderer. His robberies at shops and later in the village indicate that he was a lawless person. He robbed a shopkeeper of all the money he could find. He stole the housekeeping money from the clergyman's desk. Griffin also attacked Mrs Hall when she entered his room. Lawless persons like Griffin never think about the safety and well-being of others. They are only concerned about themselves. All these activities and instances prove that he was really a lawless person.
2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans. Griffin was a brilliant scientist, as he discovered how to make himself invisible. But he seemed to enjoy the feeling of power which he got out of his invisibility. The power to hurt anybody without getting noticed can give sadistic pleasure to some people. A true scientist should make discoveries for the larger benefit of society, not just for his own benefit. After repeated experiments, Griffin had discovered how to make the human body transparent. This was a big achievement. However, he misused his discovery for personal gains and for hurting others. Thus, though he can be termed as a brilliant scientist, he was not a noble one.
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