CHAPTER-5
(Footprints Without Feet)

Footprints Without Feet

1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.

The statement “Griffin was rather a lawless person” is completely justified. Griffin was a brilliant scientist, but he misused his scientific knowledge and ignored the laws of society. Instead of using his discovery for the benefit of humanity, he used it for selfish and criminal purposes.

After discovering how to make himself invisible, Griffin committed several unlawful acts. He set fire to his landlord's house simply because he wanted revenge. He stole clothes, food, and money whenever he needed them. He entered shops illegally, robbed a theatrical company, and assaulted people who tried to stop him. He showed little concern for the rights, safety, or property of others.

Griffin believed that his invisibility gave him the freedom to do whatever he wanted. His actions demonstrate arrogance, selfishness, and a complete disregard for law and morality. Therefore, he can rightly be described as a lawless person who used his scientific achievement irresponsibly.

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2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?

As a scientist, Griffin was undoubtedly brilliant and highly intelligent. His discovery of a method to make the human body invisible was an extraordinary scientific achievement. Such an invention required exceptional knowledge, creativity, and dedication to research.

However, Griffin lacked the qualities of a responsible scientist. A true scientist uses knowledge for the welfare of society, but Griffin used his invention for personal gain and criminal activities. He failed to consider the ethical consequences of his experiments and showed no sense of social responsibility.

Although Griffin possessed remarkable scientific talent, he misused his abilities. His intelligence was not guided by wisdom, morality, or humanity. Therefore, while he can be admired for his scientific genius, he cannot be regarded as an ideal scientist because he used science in a reckless and unethical manner.