👣 Class 10 English Chapter 5 – Footprints Without Feet (Summary, Q&A, PDF)
Book: Footprints Without Feet
Chapter: 5 – Footprints Without Feet
Author: H.G. Wells
Board: CBSE Class 10 (2025)
✍️ Introduction
“Footprints Without Feet” by H.G. Wells is a science fiction story that follows the strange and mysterious events surrounding a scientist named Griffin who discovers the secret of invisibility. The story highlights how power without morality can lead to destruction.
📖 Summary of the Chapter
The story begins with two boys in London who are shocked to see footprints appearing in the snow with no person visible. These mysterious footprints belong to Griffin, a brilliant but selfish scientist who has made himself invisible by consuming special chemicals. However, he misuses his power and gets involved in criminal activities.
Griffin sets fire to his landlord’s house in London after a quarrel and then roams the streets naked and invisible. He later enters a shop, steals food and clothes, and escapes. Eventually, he reaches a village called Iping, where he rents a room at an inn. He pretends to be a strange man covered in bandages and dark glasses to hide his identity.
When people in the village become suspicious due to his secretive behavior, he reveals his invisibility. He starts attacking and threatening people, causing chaos. The story ends with Griffin being hunted by the police, showing how his misuse of science turns him into a criminal and leads to his downfall.
🌟 Central Theme
The central theme is that science and knowledge, when misused, can turn dangerous. It also highlights the dangers of isolation, greed, and misuse of power. True success lies in using knowledge for the betterment of society, not for selfish motives.
👤 Character Sketches
- Griffin: A brilliant but morally corrupt scientist. His discovery of invisibility becomes a curse as he turns violent and criminal instead of using it for good.
- Mrs. Hall: The curious and suspicious owner of the inn in Iping. She is the first to doubt Griffin’s strange behavior.
📚 Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Footprints | Marks left by feet on a surface |
| Invisible | Unable to be seen |
| Revenge | Action taken in return for wrongdoing |
| Suspicious | Having doubt or mistrust |
| Quarrel | Fight or argument |
❓ Important Questions and Answers
- Q1. What discovery did Griffin make?
Ans: Griffin discovered how to become invisible by changing the refractive index of his body to match that of air. - Q2. How did Griffin misuse his power?
Ans: He committed theft, destroyed property, attacked innocent people, and used violence instead of helping others. - Q3. Why did people in Iping become suspicious of Griffin?
Ans: Because he was secretive, never showed his face, and acted strangely. He also locked himself in his room and didn’t interact with anyone. - Q4. What message does the story give?
Ans: The story teaches that scientific knowledge should be used with wisdom and morality. Power without responsibility leads to downfall.
📥 Download PDF Notes
👉 Click here to download PDF of Footprints Without Feet Notes
📌 Tags: Class 10 English Chapter 5, Footprints Without Feet Summary, H.G. Wells, Invisibility Story, CBSE 2025, Science Fiction, ToppersNoteHub
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