The Invisible Man | Character Sketches| CBSE
Griffin :
Griffin is the protagonist of the novel. He is a brilliant scientist. He wants to prove that human body can become invisible and he successfully discover a rare drug that can make human body as transparent as glass. But, Griffin misuses his discovery. To save himself from his landlord, he takes that drug and becomes invisible.
He is a lawless person and does many unlawful activities when he become invisible. He sets fire in his landlord’s house and steal things and money from shop. He is very irritable, impatient, looses temper over petty things. He is a heartless fellow. To further his research, he needs money and for this, he robs his own father. His father shot himself because money was not his. He even doesn’t feel sorry even after burglary which leads to his father’s death. He wanted to establish a reign of terror and turned against his own race and died tragically. He is the only one who can be blamed for his own tragic end.
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Griffin, also known as the "Invisible man" is given many names in the novel. At first, he is the stranger who arrives at IPing village and then he is the voice that startles everybody. Though he is the protagonist of the story, all his deeds are more like that of a villain. He is an eccentric scientist. He was very gifted but used his mind in a sinister way. He devised an experiment to become invisible and then started looting and murdering whoever came in his way.
He is very irritable and impatient, looses his temper over petty things and starts hurting others. He has lost all sense of conscience and doesn't feel sorry even after the burglary which led to his father's death. Although he is lonely and seems to have been misunderstood from time to time, he fails to gain sympathy due to his murderous rage and evil ways.
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Mrs. Hall:
She is the owner of the “Coach and Horses” situated in Iping. She runs her Inn quite efficiently. She is a modest and devoted host. She pays personal attention to her visitors. She is also an opportunist. She treats stranger in a hospitable manner as she knew wintertime brings few lodgers. So, despite his odd appearance, she allows him to stay at her Inn. She is happy enough to leave stranger alone in exchange of money. She does not allow anybody to disturb her guest. Everybody in Iping takes the stranger as a criminal who is trying to escape the police. But Mrs. Hall defend him by saying that he is an experimental investigator. When visitor doesn’t pay the bill, she stops giving him meals. Then, the stranger is accused of burglary at vicar’s house. Mrs. Hall decides to get rid of the stranger and she calls the police. She is typical example of working class women living in rural area. She is also somewhat money minded. She is superstitious and believes that her furniture was haunted. She is a dominating wife and doesn’t feel shy from giving her husband a lecture.
Mr. Hall :
George Hall is the hen-pecked husband of Mrs. Hall and drove the Iping conveyance. He is a drunkard and his wife manages the Inn on her own. He believes in others quite easily and when Mr. Teddy Henfrey told him about Griffin, he at once formed the perception that something unusual was up.
He has an investigative side also. He wanted to know the details about his guest and tried to inspect his room when he found it empty. However, he is only secondary to his wife and is very meek upfront of her. He gets taken to task by her many times. George is also kind like his wife. When the dog attacked Griffin, he rushed to his room to see if he needed any kind of help.
Mr. Bunting:
He was esteemed Vicar of Iping village. His religious position was revered by everyone. He was sincerely involved in the well being of his congregation. When Mr. Cuss narrated his strange encounter with the Invisible Man, Bunting did not brush him aside even though he found it to be an implausible story. He listened to Mr. Cuss very carefully and calmed him down.
Mr. Bunting was also a brave man. At the time of burglary in the vicarage, he exhibited courage in place of panic. He tried his best to locate and capture the trespasser which was in fact an impossible task owing to the invisible status of Griffin. He keenly involved himself in the investigations to arrest Griffin. He accompanied Cuss to the Inn-parlour pondering over the coded books of Griffin. The simplicity of Bunting can be seen when he sheepishly tried to hide the fact that he had forgotten the knowledge of Greek. Although a man of religion, Bunting came out as a responsible member of society.
Mr. Marvel:
Thomas Marvel was a short, fat tramp who sported a shabby hat and thrived on charity. He was lazy and did not show any intention to work hard to improve his life . Griffin did not have a very high opinion about Marvel’s ability, still he made him his accomplice because Marvel was an obvious weakling who could be easily intimidated. His cowardice did not let him defy Griffins commands. Surprisingly, this apparently good for nothing fellow managed to cheat a wicked and dangerously evil man like Griffin. But this act does not make him a turncoat in any way because he assisted Griffin much against his own wish. He was a simple person, ill-equipped in every sense, as compared to all the powerful invisible man. He had no choice but to obey each order coming from his self proclaimed master. Marvel was more of a slave than an accomplice in crime. When he succeeded in sneaking away, it was actually to save his life.
Of course towards the end he does show smartness by hiding himself the entire money and the three books of Griffin. However, he exhibits his keen business acumen by wisely investing this money to open an Inn. His decision to name this venture after the invisible man again shows that Marvel knew how to turn circumstances in his favor. He never revealed to anyone that the three books of Griffin were in his possession.
Sandy Wagers:
He was the blacksmith in the village of Iping. He was the first one to be called by the couple when they were attacked by the furniture in the stranger’s room. He was a knowledgeable man and was very resourceful.
However, he was superstitious and after hearing about the attack, concluded that it was a black magic. He appeared to be a man who was calm and thought deeply before taking decisions. He wanted to get his facts right before barging into the room of the stranger.
He was also very firm and resolute. He told Mr. Hall to demand an explanation from the stranger. Later, we also learned of his bravery when we swapped him fighting with the Invisible Man. However, the shock of getting beaten by Invisible Man was too much to bear for him and he kept himself locked in his house.
Mr. Jaffers:
He was the constable of the Iping village. He is resolute and is seen as a man with serious intent. The devotion, commitment and sincerity with which he comes forth to arrest the headless Griffin, placed Jagger’s in the league of good men. He had an absolute confidence in his ability to arrest any criminal, however powerful, visible or not visible, as he may be.
His sharp and quick reaction when the Invisible Man tried to escape once again show Jagger’s as a dutiful policemen. On his failure to capture Griffin he sinks in gloom which shows that he was upset at having failed to fulfil his duty. The simple man stands as desired example of professional commitment.
Dr. Kemp:
Dr. Kemp is a young brilliant scientist living in Port Burdock. He has been Griffin’s senior at University College. But like Griffin, he is not at all unscrupulous. He does not use his scientific knowledge to jeopardize the peace of humanity. He is a disciplined and law abiding citizen. He loves to remain idealistic and non interfering. He is cool and methodical. His scientific outlook doesn’t let him believe in the existence of an invisible man. He is composed and practical. When Griffin comes to his house and asks for his help, Kemp being his former acquaintance helps him. He not only gives him food and clothes but also provide him place to take rest. He gives him a word that he will respect his freedom. But when he comes to knew about Griffin’s evil designed, he decides to hand him over to the police. He doesn’t want to let his country fall into trap of wicked Griffin. To save the people, he puts his own life at risk. This great deed endears him to the readers.
Col. Adye:
Col. Adye is the chief of police in Port Burdock. He is a law-abiding and dutiful officer. When Dr. Kemp gives him an urgent call regarding Invisible Man, he immediately reaches Kemp’s house. He is wise and thoughtful. He feels the intensity of the situation. Since, Kemp was only one who sees and talked to Invisible Man; so he had no choice rather than listening Kemp’s suggestion. He is very brave and courageous. He tries his best to save Dr. Kemp from the Invisible Man. He keeps fighting with Invisible Man till the end. The Invisible Man shoots him with Kemp’s revolver and it is assumed that Col. Adye died there.
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