Summary

• Griffin, a brilliant scientist, discovers the secret of invisibility and decides to experiment on himself.
• He becomes invisible and experiences both the thrill and the challenges of being unseen.
• Initially, Griffin enjoys the advantages of invisibility, such as escaping notice and playing tricks on others.
• However, his power soon leads to isolation, loneliness, and moral dilemmas.
• Griffin commits several mischievous and criminal acts, including theft, taking advantage of his invisibility.
• The story highlights the dangers of unchecked power and the ethical responsibilities that come with extraordinary abilities.
• Eventually, Griffin’s actions lead to conflict with the authorities and the public, showing that misuse of power has consequences.
• H.G. Wells uses the story to explore human nature, morality, and the consequences of scientific experimentation without ethical consideration.

Character Sketch

Griffin

• Brilliant and ambitious scientist, curious about the limits of science.
• Resourceful and intelligent but morally ambiguous due to misuse of invisibility.
• Experiences both thrill and isolation as a result of his invisibility.
• His character highlights the dangers of unchecked power and ethical neglect.

Supporting Characters

• Dr. Kemp – a friend and fellow scientist who provides insight and moral perspective.
• Victims of Griffin’s pranks and theft – show the real-world consequences of his actions.
• Authorities – represent societal justice and accountability.

Themes

• Power and Responsibility: Extraordinary abilities must be accompanied by ethical responsibility.
• Isolation and Loneliness: Misuse of power can lead to social alienation.
• Science and Ethics: Scientific exploration without moral consideration can have dangerous consequences.
• Human Nature: Greed, curiosity, and ambition drive behavior but need ethical restraint.
• Consequences of Actions: Every action, especially unethical ones, has repercussions.

Important Extracts

Moral / Lessons

• Scientific knowledge and power must be exercised responsibly and ethically.
• Unethical behavior and misuse of abilities lead to isolation, fear, and consequences.
• Human ambition should be tempered by moral considerations.
• Extraordinary abilities do not exempt one from societal rules and justice.
• Loneliness and alienation can result from actions that disregard others’ rights and welfare.

Vocabulary & Key Terms

• Invisibility: The state of being unseen.
• Ambition: Strong desire to achieve something.
• Isolation: Loneliness or separation from others.
• Ethics: Moral principles governing behavior.
• Consequences: Outcomes or results of actions.
• Scientific Experimentation: Testing hypotheses or ideas in controlled settings.
• Morality: Principles concerning right and wrong conduct.

Exam Tips

• For summary, focus on Griffin’s discovery, his experiences with invisibility, and the consequences of his actions.
• For character analysis, highlight Griffin’s intelligence, ambition, and ethical shortcomings.
• Use extracts to illustrate themes of power, responsibility, and human nature.
• Explain moral lessons emphasizing ethical use of knowledge and the consequences of actions.