Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet) Chapter 5 Footprints without Feet

Key Concept: Character Traits

a) Arrogant

[Solution Description] Griffin is described as brilliant but arrogant, selfish, and lawless. His pursuit of invisibility shows his brilliance but also reveals his arrogance and lack of moral compass. He prioritizes his own desires over any ethical considerations.

Key Concept: Theme Identification

c) By highlighting his loneliness due to invisibility

[Solution Description] The novel explores the theme of isolation through Griffin’s experiences after becoming invisible, as his inability to interact normally with society leads to his emotional and social separation from others.

Key Concept: Cause and Effect

b) His sudden possession of cash

[Solution Description] The villagers suspect Griffin even more when he suddenly possesses cash after being involved in unusual activities, which they find suspicious.

Key Concept: Motivation Analysis

c) To explore new scientific frontiers and possibilities

[Solution Description]

According to the text, Griffin initially pursues invisibility due to his ambition to overcome limitations imposed by visible existence, potentially fueled by curiosity and the promise of gaining an edge over others through unseen advantage.

Key Concept: Motivation Analysis

b) He needs a quiet place to conduct his research.

[Solution Description]

Initially, Griffin is looking for a secluded place where he can conduct his experiments without drawing attention. The inn provides him with shelter and a sense of normalcy while he continues his covert activities. Additionally, the village’s isolation works in his favor, as fewer people are likely to suspect or interfere with his work.

Key Concept: Consequence Prediction

b) He became homeless

[Solution Description] After becoming invisible, Griffin faced several consequences, including homelessness. His inability to be seen made it difficult for him to live a normal life, forcing him to steal clothes and other necessities to survive.

Key Concept: Cause and Effect

d) He thought he wouldn’t be caught

[Solution Description] The irony in Griffin’s story is that despite his genius, he used his intelligence for personal gain through crime, as he believed he could act without consequences due to his invisibility.

Key Concept: Sequence of Events

d) Robbed a theatrical company

[Solution Description] After becoming invisible, Griffin sought resources to sustain himself, leading him to target a place where he could find clothing and money easily.

Key Concept: Character Analysis

c) He perceives himself as superior and beyond normal ethics.

[Solution Description]

After becoming invisible, Griffin justifies his unlawful actions by believing that he is above the law and not bound by societal norms. He sees his invisibility as a power that places him outside of ordinary human constraints. This mindset drives him to act without regard for legal or moral consequences.

Key Concept: Character Traits

c) Lawlessness

[Solution Description] Griffin’s desire to become invisible showcases his curiosity and ambition as a scientist, but also highlights his lawlessness as he uses the scientific discovery for personal gain without considering moral implications.

Key Concept: Motivation Analysis

c) To gain power and anonymity

[Solution Description] Griffin’s primary motivation for becoming invisible was initially driven by scientific curiosity and the desire to explore new realms of physical possibility. However, as his experiments progressed, his intentions shifted towards gaining power and control over situations without being detected, which aligns with his character traits of lawlessness.

Key Concept: Profession

d) The father of science fiction

[Solution Description] Herbert George Wells is often referred to as the “father of science fiction” due to his significant contributions to the genre.

Key Concept: Symbolism Analysis

c) He commits crimes with immunity.

[Solution Description] Griffin frequently uses his invisibility to commit acts that would otherwise be unacceptable in society, such as theft and violence. By being invisible, he avoids the consequences of these actions, indicating a lack of responsibility despite having significant power.

Key Concept: Theme Recognition

c) The perseverance of law and order

[Solution Description]

The scenario where Mr. Jaffers attempts to arrest Griffin despite his invisibility emphasizes the overarching theme of law, order, and justice. This theme underscores the importance and struggle of upholding legal principles even when faced with extraordinary circumstances.

Key Concept: Escape Strategy

b) By removing his clothes to become invisible

[Solution Description] After being discovered, Griffin removed his clothes to become invisible, which allowed him to escape without being seen by others.

Key Concept: Ethical Implications

d) Exploiting scientific research selfishly

[Solution Description] The ethical issue is using scientific advancements for personal gain without considering the harm caused to others, highlighting irresponsible conduct.

Key Concept: Character Identification

c) A scientist

[Solution Description] Griffin is depicted as a scientist who discovers how to make himself invisible through scientific experiments.

Key Concept: Cause and Effect

c) Because of isolation and power

[Solution Description] After Griffin gained invisibility, he became lawless due to the sense of power without accountability, which led him to act without regard for societal norms or ethics. This transformation highlights the theme of power misuse.

Key Concept: Consequences of Actions

b) Fear and confusion

[Solution Description] Griffin’s invisibility caused fear and confusion among the residents of Iping, leading them to mistrust strangers and feel unsafe in their community. It disturbed their peace and led to social chaos.

Key Concept: Cause and Effect

c) The potential misuse of his discovery for unethical purposes

[Solution Description] Griffin faces several ethical dilemmas, primarily concerning the misuse of scientific knowledge for personal gain or harm. This reveals the theme of how advancements can be exploited without considering societal impacts.

Key Concept: Character Traits

b) Selfish and ruthless

[Solution Description] Griffin is portrayed as brilliant but selfish and ruthless, often disregarding ethical considerations in favor of achieving his goals.

Key Concept: Complex Inference, Ethical Implications

a) He prioritizes personal gain over societal norms.

[Solution Description] Griffin’s misuse of his power of invisibility indicates that he holds little regard for societal laws or ethics. His actions suggest that he views his scientific discovery as a means to rise above normal ethical standards, reflecting an egoistic belief system where individual desires take precedence over communal rules.

Key Concept: Thematic Elements

d) It leads to increased isolation and loneliness

[Solution Description] Invisibility in the story symbolizes the theme of isolation as it separates Griffin from the rest of humanity. He becomes increasingly isolated as his inability to interact normally with people grows due to his invisible state, highlighting the loneliness that comes with unchecked ambition and loss of identity.

Key Concept: Character Traits

b) His lawlessness

[Solution Description] Griffin’s invisibility highlights his desire for freedom from societal constraints and underscores his tendency towards lawlessness, as he uses it to act without considering the consequences.

Key Concept: Complex Problem Solving, Thematic Exploration

b) Implement strict ethical guidelines and oversight in research

[Solution Description] Preventing misuse of scientific advancements requires a multifaceted approach: implementing strict regulatory frameworks; encouraging ethical education in science curricula; promoting transparency and accountability among researchers; fostering global cooperation in monitoring and controlling dangerous technologies, inspired by historical lessons from Griffin’s unethical decisions.

Key Concept: Real-World Application, Ethical Dilemma

b) Technological power must be balanced with ethical guidelines to prevent misuse.

[Solution Description] Griffin’s story serves as a warning about the importance of regulating new technologies. His lawlessness illustrates the ethical dilemma posed by powerful innovations when not governed by rules or ethics. The lesson is that technology must be developed with consideration for societal impacts, ensuring that power does not lead to reckless behavior or harm.

Key Concept: Advanced Cause and Effect, Ethical Implications

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

[Solution Description]

The assertion about Griffin’s lawlessness is connected to the newfound power and freedom his invisibility gives him, creating an environment where traditional social and legal constraints are no longer applicable to him. He feels invincible and above the law, gradually leading to more unethical actions. The reason also accurately reflects a psychological phenomenon where individuals who believe they won’t face immediate consequences often engage in anti-social or unethical behavior. Both the assertion and reason are valid and interconnected as the reason logically explains why invisibility might lead to lawlessness in Griffin’s case.

Key Concept: Simple Cause and Effect

c) It allowed him to act without being seen

[Solution Description] Griffin’s invisibility led to lawlessness and ethical disregard because it removed the immediate consequences of his actions. Being unseen, he felt empowered to commit acts without fear of detection or punishment, leading to behaviors such as theft and violence.

Key Concept: Motivation Analysis

b) To gain power and freedom from societal constraints

[Solution Description] Griffin was driven by a desire for power and control, with invisibility offering him a means to escape societal norms and responsibilities. He believed that his newfound ability would allow him to act without repercussions and fulfill personal ambitions.

Key Concept: Cause and Effect

b) He swallowed rare drugs

[Solution Description] In the story, Griffin becomes invisible by using scientific means, specifically by swallowing certain rare drugs that alter his body’s refractive index.

Key Concept: Moral Dilemmas

c) Balancing knowledge acquisition with ethical concerns

[Solution Description] Scientists often face the moral dilemma of balancing the pursuit of knowledge with the potential risks their research may pose to ethical standards and societal norms.

Key Concept: Griffin’s Experiment

b) Rare drugs

[Solution Description] Griffin used a series of chemical experiments that included swallowing certain rare drugs and substances that altered his body’s refractive index, making him invisible.

Key Concept: Setting Recognition

c) At an inn

[Solution Description] Griffin first reveals his invisibility while staying at an inn, where his peculiar behaviors start raising suspicions.

Key Concept: Ethical Dilemmas

b) Misusing his power for personal gain

[Solution Description]

Griffin, after becoming invisible, struggles with the temptation to misuse his power, leading to numerous unethical decisions and actions throughout the narrative.

Key Concept: Imagery and Inference, Imagery and Reader Engagement

c) The character is engaged in stealthy activities.

[Solution Description] The imagery of “bare muddy footprints appearing mysteriously” can imply a sense of secrecy or stealthiness associated with the character. It suggests that the character is attempting to remain unnoticed, perhaps due to some hidden agenda or motive. This engages the reader by making them curious about the character’s purpose and actions, thus inferring that the character may be acting covertly.

Key Concept: Character Action

c) An overcoat, shoes, and a hat

[Solution Description] Griffin stole an overcoat, shoes, and a hat from the London store to become visible and keep warm.