CRITIQUE OF ETHICAL DEGRADATION IN WELLS'S THE INVISIBLE MAN
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
CRITIQUE OF ETHICAL DEGRADATION IN WELLS'S THE INVISIBLE MAN
Bindu Gahatraj,
Tribhuvan University, Central Department of English Kirtipur,
Kathmandu, Nepal
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man (1897) is
portrays ethical degeneracy of The Invisible regarded one of the privileged works of
Man because of his own fault of discovering modern science fiction that occupies an
invisibility caused by pseudo- science. It honored place in the Victorian literature. This
moves around Griffin, the protagonist of research examines Griffin, the protagonist of
having great desire to make him invisible the novel as ethically and morally corrupt
via obscure scientific power. But, his character. Being the central character he is
invisibility makes him absolutely invisible and lacks social status. He is the
extraordinary, unusual, unsociable, representative character of the late nineteenth
alienated, unrealistic and inhuman century and is guided with obscure scientific
character evading him from entire mass of power along his involvement with chemical
Iping village. Furthermore, he becomes apparatus. Griffin is a brilliant research
means of terror and creates more violence scientist who discovers a formula that makes a
in English society going beyond ethical and human being invisible. The formula entails
moral contemplations. First, Griffin isolates taking opium and another drug, which makes
himself from humanity because he wants to his blood clear, then processing him in a
make all the glory of his discoveries. Later, radiator engine. It succeeds but he finds
he drives himself to isolation by a fear of himself unable to reserve the process. Despite
discovery and compelled to be mad by the his strong abilities and conscience, his
effects of his self-imposed isolation. Griffin's ambitious nature and consumption with greed
invention is a terrible impossibility that the scientific power turned protagonist to
pursuit dedicated to improving the human antagonist to that leads him as ethically and
condition bears the greatest potential to morally wicked character as well as socially
destroy humanity. He uses science without bankrupt personality. His anti-heroic deeds are
considering humanity that causes his own more focused in the novel rather than his
disaster portraying him as immoral heroic deeds. Griffin lacks the social status for
scientist and makes him as a figure of two reasons: first because he refuses it and
sympathy and mystery. His discovery of second society denies it to him. He is the gifted
invisibility represents him as an antisocial young university student with albinism, who
personality leading English society into a studies optical density. He believes he is on the
reign of terror as well as disobeying ethics verge of great scientific discovery; he leaves
of modern science and technology. the university and moves to a grimy apartment
to continue his experiment alone.
Keywords: Science fiction, scientific H. G. Wells, a science student and
romance, pseudo - science, gothic, anti-hero teacher, was keenly interested in how the
twentieth century would develop its technical
knowledge. He was equally concerned with the
134 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
morality of the scientific experimenter. Griffin betrayal and isolation is the product of his
is the scientist who is detached, hostile, and unstrained interest and desire in scientific
despicable of his fellow humans. Ordinary experiment and its consequences.
people have annoyance towards him. They However, the western modernist
seem petty compared to his lofty concern with researcher consciously makes him invisible in
the mechanisms of nature. His knowledge his moral failure to adopt this realistic
makes him alienated personality and he thinks humankind under the influence of scientific
only of his discovery and the power that his romance of late nineteenth century. Like many
special knowledge gives him. Consequently, he books of the same era, he uses science as the
becomes a hazard to society. It shows through instrument of retribution for the social crimes
The Invisible man, Griffin tries to escape from that have been committed. But, as often
the mass of society regarding them as a burden happens in Wells's work, the science fiction
and chooses an alienated life which portrays situation in The Invisible Man provides a
him as an ethically and morally ruined vehicle for exploring a larger set of ethical and
character. moral problems that preoccupied him
Wells's protagonist's gothic throughout his career. To put bluntly, the chief
transformation of visibility into invisibility scientific act Griffin makes of his invisibility
embodies the protagonist's treatment with because of his blindness on scientific
obscure scientific power. Griffin, the judgments and his intention to spread terror
protagonist's attempt to be dissolved into and horror in English society. At the end, The
invisibility marks him from this sanity world Invisible Man, Griffin decides to murder him
into insanity. His unusual actions and wired viciously and begins his own personal “reign of
behaviors that he performs in this fiction terror” in brutal way.
suggest him as being the morally and ethically Various critics have viewed the novel
busted character, mad scientist and egoist from different perspectives. Paul A. Cantor in
character. His strange wearing, a long-sleeved, his "The invisible Man and the Invisible hand:
thick coat and gloves; his face entirely hidden H.G. Wells's Critique of Capitalism" states that
by bandages except for a fake pink nose; and Wells raises the question about the ethics of
his wearing of wide-brimmed hat leads him modern technology creating invisibility upon
excessively into reclusive, irascible, and Griffin. He further admits: The Invisible Man
unfriendly character. His magical and scientific tells the story of Griffin, the University college
act to put him aside from other characters is student who finds a way to make himself
also abnormal and immoral that embedded disappear. Driven to his experiments by an
with madness and cruelness. The spirit of this ambition that has always been fierce, Griffin
novel depicts that the western human world in grows increasingly megalomaniacal once he
terms of scientific pursuit going beyond the becomes invisible. He thus takes his place in a
realistic and ethical ground and capturing the line of literary portrayal of mad scientists that
extremely terrorized atmosphere of scientific stretches back to Marry Shelley's Victor
world. In such a highly organized and modern Frankenstein. Interest in The Invisible Man has
world, science remains central to Griffin's understandably tended to focus on the
anomalous adaptation with other characters of scientific aspects of the tale, specially the
this fiction. Griffin seems to be much devoted questions Wells raises about the ethic of
with his experiment. The protagonist's extreme modern technology. (91)
135 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
According to him, the unusual Griffin is also the voice of suffering as much as
invisibility and ambition of Griffin leads him the embodiment of ambition. Indifferent to the
towards brutal way making himself a mad anguish of others...." (36)
scientist in the same way of Marry Shelley's Griffin, careless character becomes the
Victor Frankenstein. Griffin makes him victim of his own experiment, a consequence of
invisible by the help of false science which his own creation. As the protagonist, Griffin's
indicates the false ethics of modern technology character development clearly illustrates a
and it has insisted him as the severe character shift in attitude towards his invisibility, from
going beyond the reality. admiration to contempt, as he begins to
Concerning the characterization and understand the nature of his atrocious
individuation in his "Revelation and the Unseen experiment that he initially does not expect.
in H.G Wells's The Invisible man " Tarryn Furthermore, Bruce Beiderwell in his
Handcock says the figure of the invisible man of "The Grotesque in Well's The Invisible Man"
the novel opens up discussions on the nature of says that Griffin does not only face human
confessional culture, highlighting themes as ignorance rather he faces animal ignorance too
relevant today as they were in the late – because of his nonsense invisibility. He further
nineteenth century when the book was written. emphasizes, "Dogs are a special curse to Griffin
He further utters "The unseen body – because they detect him by scent, not sight.
characterized by Wells not as transparent but Still, this faculty does not account for the
as concealed current and transgressive – is a antipathy dogs express toward Griffin. It
malignant presence that pose critical and moral cannot be that dogs are merely angered by
problems" (41-42). The interconnected smelling what they cannot see; in the third
relationship between revelation and unseen in chapter, a fully costumed, visible Griffin is
the text illustrates how the body may be loaded bitten by a dog. It seems that dogs instinctively
with meaning, and how literature might allow dislike Griffin" (121). His statement suggests
us to examine the body as a site of personal and not only is Griffin isolating himself from the
social concerns. human race, but he is also an outcast even from
Another critic, Robert Crossley, in his the animals. The irony is that even though the
"H.G. Wells" asserts it is clear that without animals can sense him, they still show an
understanding of what he is about to embark, instinctive abhorrence towards Griffin. This
Griffin’s plan for the acquisition of advantages demonstrates the detriment of Griffin's
over his fellow men is falling apart. Without thoughtlessness as he is despised by all of
comprehending the multitude implications of society, both humans and animals. Wells
his alteration, he fails to accomplish what he illustrates the inevitable ramification of
yearns for most, the ultimate ability to derive Griffin’s lack of consideration for his plans
pleasure from life. He further articulates: through the symbol of dogs hating him.
Griffin demonstrates the inevitability of Jeanne Murray Walker in his "The
failures when he uses alchemy, a false science, isolated Scientist in H.G Wells The Invisible
to obtain invisibility, "…aiming ‘to transcend Man" comments Griffin as an isolated scientist.
magic’ and attain ‘the mystery, the power, the He further admits:
freedom’ of invisibility...As simultaneous The invisible Man combines a detective
researcher and subject of research, victim and story format with a sort of special pleading
beneficiary of the experiment in invisibility, typical of romantic novel and, later of Victorian
136 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
dramatic monologues. These forms portray the protagonist of the novel. It shows the message
typical human mind at work, sorting evidence of horrors of granting science humidly.
and reaching conclusions. The scientific From these aforementioned
theories, which are his only product are appreciations, it is quite clear that the novel is
outrageously misunderstood and the representation of determined, an
developed by innkeepers and policeman and ambitious, devoted student of optics wanting to
town gossips. Wells shows the scientific be fall from his own invention i.e. invisibility
separated from his society to his method of caused by false science. Moreover, Griffin has
weighing evidence, which is to patiently become pathetic character of 1897 because of
demonstrate a hypothesis without jumping to his own fault caused by scientific involvement
conclusion. (156) via his own egoistic nature that leads him
His criticism makes it clear that the ruthless character. Science that does not
novel with its foundation of Romantic Victorian involve true knowledge cannot be called true
styles depicts a picture of highly motivated science. Neither is the man who experiments
scientist trying to isolate from the society but with applied sciences a true scientist, as he
could not succeeded in his mission. Rather, his seems to be mad scientist ever. Only
isolation takes him to the death where science when Griffin feels cornered and takes refuge in
without humanity overturns his conscience. Dr. Kemp’s home does Wells fully reveal
In the same way, another critics Robert Griffin’s mind and character. For the first time,
Sirabian in his article "Papers on Language and Griffin has a scientific colleague to whom he
Literature" focuses on the conception of can unburden himself. Griffin believes that
science Wells's The Invisible Man. He asserts: Kemp will understand the scientific details and
The achievement of The Invisible Man is share his commitment to terrorizing and
Wells's treatment of science fiction beyond its remaking society. Griffin reasons in this faulty
oversimplified conceptions, either as a purely manner because he has completely lost contact
imagination, speculative pursuit or as an with his fellow man. He sees society only as
analytical activity concerned only with material that he can manipulate. Griffin is so
facts. Although an integral conception of absorbed in his own views that he does not
science is taken for granted in the twentieth detect the revulsion Kemp feels for his
century scientific method was a significant murderous plans. Griffin means to use science
issue for discussion. The romantic conceptions as an instrument of terror; the scientist will
of science presumed by Griffin challenges a become a dictator, deciding who shall live and
prevailing Victorian notion, of science, defined who shall die. In the process, the scientist
as the fact of truth for social good through himself becomes a monster, oblivious of
the factual revealing and observation of nature. humanity.
But while the novel clearly shows the dangers This present research work deals with
of uncontrolled speculative science, it more the hero's ethical and moral crash in his
subtly reveals the limits of scientific thought treatment with extreme scientific power.
based solely on factual observation reasons Scientific cause becomes determinant in this
and reality. (12) novelist's career as writer during the 1897,
According to him, the novel excavates however, its protagonist unfolds differential
the results of uncontrolled speculative science relationship in his treatment with individual
that leads the disaster on the part of the power assuming scientific inquiry as important
137 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
factor. The hero's treatment with scientific Science fiction is largely based on
power in modernist fiction portrays western writing rationally about alternative possible
ignorance and carelessness towards moral worlds or futures. It is related to, but different
stand during this period, a period of high use of from fantasy in that, within the context of the
science and technology. Analyzing the hero's story, its imaginary elements are largely
immoral attitude in this fiction contributes possible within scientifically established or
intellectual and moral debates in modernist scientifically postulated physical laws. The
narrative with different theoretical perspective settings of science fiction are often contrary to
and outlook. those of consensus reality, but most science
Science fiction studies research the fiction relies on a considerable degree of
history, culture, and works of science fiction suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in
and more broadly, speculative fiction. Science the reader's mind by potential scientific
fiction is a genre of speculative fiction typically explanations or solutions to various fictional
dealing with imaginative concepts such as elements. Science fiction elements include: a
futuristic science and technology, space travel time setting in the future in alternative
and time travel, faster than light travel, parallel timelines, a spatial setting or scenes on other
universe, and extraterrestrial life. Science world, characters that include aliens, mutants,
fiction often explores the potential androids or humanoid robots and other types
consequences of scientific and other of characters arising from a future human
innovations. It usually eschews the evolution, scientific principles that are new or
supernatural, and unlike the related genre of that contradict a accepted physical laws for
fantasy, historically science fiction stories were example time travel or faster- than- light travel
intended to have at least a faint grounding in or communication, new and different political
science – based fact or theory at the time the and social systems e.g. utopian, dystopian,
story was created, but this connection has post- scarcity or post-apocalyptic, paranormal
become tenuous or non-existent in much of the abilities such as mind control, telegraphy,
science fiction. telekinesis and other universes or dimensions
Speculative fiction is a broad category and travel between them.
of narrative fiction that includes elements, The modern field of science fiction
settings and characters created out of studies is closely related to popular cultural
imagination and speculation rather than based studies a sub discipline of cultural studies and
on reality and everyday life. It encompasses the film and literature studies. It has great tie with
genres of science fiction, fantasy, science futurism and utopian works where there is
fantasy, horror fiction, superhero fiction often overlap with these fields as well.
alterative history and magic realism. It However, the field's roots go back much
typically differs strongly from reality and so further, to the earliest commentators who
many feature fictional types of being like studied representations of the sciences in the
mythical creatures and supernatural entities, arts and literature, and explorations of utopian
technologies that do not exist in real life like and social reforms impulses in fantastic and
time machines and interstellar spaceships or visionary works of art and literature.
magical or otherwise scientifically inexplicable Science fiction has great role in
elements. Victorian era because of its development in
science and technology. The Victorian age was
138 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
the period of significant changes and people of he becomes a threat to English society of
England was being highly motivated for new 1990s.
sorts of development. European society Wells does not reveal the full
continued to transform amid rapid industrial implications of Griffin's threat to order until
growth enormously spreading new the last pages of the novel. At first, The
technologies. The rapid industrial growth and Invisible Man, Griffin is a mysterious stranger
high development in new technologies made seeking seclusion. His gruff manner is partly
life of people so easier. In order to increase excusable because he is fending off the prying
new technologies, science has become major questions of his landlady and other villagers.
part to influence the way of people life. English After his plight as an invisible man is revealed,
people more depend on high use of science and the narrative shifts to an absorbing, intricate
technologies keeping much concern on its account of how he tries to remain at large. The
benefits only. While experimenting in scientific moral implications of his discovery are not
romance people did not care the dark part of considered while society is still mobilizing to
science and drop the moral and ethical cope with this new phenomenon.
considerations undermining human values. Wells in The Invisible Man highly
But, later, scientific values were highly exaggerates science creating 'Scientific
criticized pointing its negative consequences to Romance' that leads his protagonist, Griffin out
human beings. Thus, charging closed concern of social order and rule with losing ethical and
with this scientific supremacy, H.G wells one of moral deliberations. At the late nineteenth
the influential writers of the 1890s wrote his century and beginning of early twentieth
frictional novel making scientific power as century, Wells brands of Science fiction i.e.
most awful part when it crosses its limitation. "Scientific Romance" was differed then the
Wells further attempts to represent the brand of earlier writer. Concerning Wellsian
realistic English society along with scientific romance critic Brian Stableford
misrepresentation of science. states: "Science fiction is a story which
Moreover, H. G. Wells, a scientist of late scientific discovery has drown back the
nineteenth century and early twentieth century curtain." (Stableford 8) It means Wellsian
was keenly interested in how the twentieth scientific discovery becomes incomprehensible
century would develop its technical knowledge. that goes crossing boundary of real curtain or
He was equally concerned with the morality of real ground of literary genres.
the scientific experimenter. He also examines Stableford further adds his view in same
the immorality of Griffin in The Invisible Man. paragraph notifying Wells scientific romance
Griffin is one type of scientist, unfriendly, and articulates "Wells's fiction uses science
destructive, and scornful for his people. more as an enabling literary device to enhance
Common people do not like him. He seems very the verisimilitude and deepen the emotional
unusual to them and they become afraid with impact of his fantastic vision" (21). By
him. They seem petty compared to his arrogant aforementioned lines of Stableford, it is clear
concern with the mechanisms of environment. that most of Wells's fictions enjoy "Scientific
His knowledge segregates him; he assumes Romance" representing emotional impact of his
only of his invention and the power that his speculative vision rather than real one. As far
special acquaintance gives him. Consequently, concerned Griffin's characteristic in the novel
The Invisible Man, the protagonist, Griffin,
139 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
primarily uses scientific supremacy influenced SF text were entirely concerned with
by "Scientific Romance" of 1890s English world 'estrangement' then we would not be able to do
and ignores the moral and ethical values of with 'cognition', then it would be scientific or
aesthetic world. documentary rather than science fiction. (7)
Moreover, his speculative science From Roberts's analysis it is clear that
misuses the real science that invites his own both terms 'Cognition' and 'Estrangement'
pathetic death. Taking this point in case, this donates alien world of speculative in any SF
paper explores Wells's protagonist's book, film or story. 'Cognition' focuses
immoralist and in- humanist lifestyle under the alienation with rational and logical scientific
influence of scientific supremacy by using some implication where as 'Estrangement' estranges
of the science fiction studies drawing on us familiar and everyday lives in certain
concepts from Raymond William's Science context. These both terms play vital role to
Fiction Studies (1988), Adam Roberts's Science expose scientific alienation of any science
Fiction (the New Critical Idioms) (2000), fiction books, film or story. But, any science
Arthur B. Evans's "Nineteenth- Century SF " of fiction book that is closed only with
The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction 'Estrangement' and minimize 'Cognition' would
(2009), Patrick Brantlinger's "The Gothic not grasp rational or logical implication of
Origin of Science Fiction" of The Routledge science rather it would be scientific or
Companion to Science Fiction (2009), Sherryl documentary.
Vint's "Science Studies" of The Routledge In case of Griffin, in The Invisible Man,
Companion to Science Fiction (2009), Adam the protagonist Griffin is alone in his scientific
Roberts's Science Fiction (2001) and Adam world which is not rational and logical rather it
Roberts's The History of Science Fiction is just scientific or documentary.
(2006). 'Estrangement' play vital role to Griffin's story
Concerning Darko Suvin's definition of than 'Cognition'. He, every time makes him
science fiction " a literary genre or verbal alien via his invisibility which is not based on
construct whose necessary and sufficient real science or scientific truth. He himself
conditions are the presence and interaction of desires to separate him from people of Iping
estrangement and cognition, and whose main and dissolves him into his scientific experiment
device is an imaginative framework alternative being lonely.
to the author's empirical environment" (Suvin The Invisible Man, Griffin is about a guy
37) in his Science Fiction (2001) critic Adam with no friends, no family, and, well, just no one
Roberts asserts: at all. It seems like no matter where he finds
'Cognition', with its rational, logical himself, he is isolated from the larger
implication refers to the aspect of SF that community. He is as alone in Iping as he is in
prompts us to try and understand, to London. If the Invisible Man was just a solitary
comprehend, the alien landscape of a given SF person who lived alone by choice, that would
book, film or story. 'Estrangement' is a term be one thing. But Griffin is a genius scientist
from Brecht, more usually rendered in English who is surrounded by people; they just do not
– language criticism as 'alienation'; it this understand him. That might be the worst form
context it refers to that element of science of isolation: surrounded by people but always
fiction that we recognize as different that alone. He has no communication with people
estrange us familiar and every day. If the around him. As it has been said by narrator:
140 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
"Communication with the world beyond the personality turn protagonist expression of the
village he had none" (28). In this case, we way science denies common nature and
thought that the Invisible Man had some humanity. It means Wells's science to be
particular complain with Iping, we learn pretty scientist for his protagonist does not deserve
quit slowly that he actually does not talk to common rules and regulation of pure science. It
anyone. He says "I was alone…In all my great is just artificial and unrealistic. Claiming
moments I have been alone" (128). At the antisocial personality of Wells's protagonist
beginning of his talk with Kemp, the Invisible caused by scientific alienation Roberts points
Man makes a connection between being alone out wrong implication of Wells's science that
and being awesome. goes beyond reality. He articulates:
Furthermore, uttering his lonely work Wells's protagonist, on the other hand,
to his landlord he further says "What was I is a scientist. His invisibility is specifically on
doing? Why was I always alone and secretive? the other hand is a scientist. His invisibility is
Was it legal? Was it dangerous?" (137). with his specifically rationalized as the result of
statement it is clear Griffin does not seem scientific research. The particular alienation
serious in his work though he does it alone. He experienced by Wells's invisible man stems
himself does not know about his work and its from his own antisocial personality, which in
upcoming consequences. He is completely turn is an expression of the way science denies
unknown about his work either his work is common nature and humanity. (19)
legal or dangerous. Griffin talks about his By his analysis, it can be seen that
landlord in London or rather, it is more like science used to make invisibility to Wells's
Griffin speaking for the landlord, who is protagonist creates alienation being himself as
worried that Griffin is up to no good. And the antisocial scientist. His science is not based on
landlord's evidence that Griffin is bad news. real scientific values and denies common
She realizes Griffin does his work feeling nature and human behavior.
without help. He is always alone. He himself is Similarly, in The Invisible Man, Griffin
more responsible to make him alone from the himself realizes his isolation and laments with
rest of the people of Iping along with his Dr. Kemp: "I made a mistake, Kemp, a huge
scientific world that is not based in real mistake, in carrying this thing through alone. I
science. Every time he is guided with wrong have wasted strength, time, and opportunities.
science. Griffin's scientific world is completely Alone - it is wonderful how little a man can do
different than the world we live; however it is alone!" (173). Here is where Griffin ends up,
not rationally or logically verified it is just even though he seemed to love being alone
scientific or documentary rather than science when he started to tell Kemp his story. Of
fiction. course, Griffin's plan to recruit Kemp does not
Again, critic Adam Roberts in his book work out and Griffin is forced to work alone.
Science Fiction talks about the science used to Noticing Griffin's alien behavior
make Wells's protagonist as scientist is not Dr.Kemp says: "By this time I knew he was
rationalized rather it denies the common alone in the house, and so I made no more ado,
nature and humanity. On the one hand, Wells's but knocked him on the head" (164).
protagonist to be scientist into invisibility is Sometimes being alone is associated with being
rationalized as a result of scientific research. vulnerable because of wrong implications of
On the other hand, the protagonist's antisocial science. Here Griffin tells Kemp how he took
141 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
out the costume-shop owner: as soon as Griffin cannot meet the real scientific fact and truth.
realizes the guy is alone, bam, he knocks him Griffin makes him invisible using pseudo-
out. It can imagine that Griffin would science. Mentioning his own scientific
empathize with people who are alone like him, experiment Griffin, in this line says: ""I should
but he does not seem to care about anyone. explain," he added, "what I was really too cold
These lines show his abnormal action with and fatigued to do before, that I am an
villagers where he performs Thus, Griffin's experimental investigator." "Indeed, sir," said
science to make him invisibility becomes Mrs. Hall, much impressed" (13). Mrs. Hall does
dangerous when it is isolated from the larger not really understand the science that the
community. If we think of Griffin as a symbol Invisible Man is doing, but she has still
for science-gone-wrong, this makes a lot of impressed by it. He says he is experimental
sense. Finally, his wrong science makes him investigator, however, his observation cannot
anti-social personality and person of prove him as an experimental investigator. His
regression and vulnerability refusing common scientific way is alike than real scientific
nature and humanity. method. Griffin's scientific collections are so
Concerning definition of science, Adam many that even Chemists' shop could not
Roberts again states science must be defined deserve it. Noticing Griffin's production
with a body of examination and it is based on narrator utters:
derived laws established by experiment in the bottles – little fat bottles containing
real world. But, science fictionalized in science powers, small and slender bottles containing
fiction cannot meet this standard of real coloured and white fluids, fluted blue bottles
science rather it rules being out controlled labeled Poison, bottles with round bodies and
inciting impossibility. Insisting on the portrayal slender necks, large greenglass bottles, large
of scientific impossibility in science fiction white- glass bottles, bottles with glass stoppers
Roberts further attaches: "We must want to and frosted labels, bottles with fine corks,
define 'science' as a body of observations and bottles with bungs, bottles with wooden caps,
derived laws established by experiment in the wine bottles, salad-oil bottles – putting them in
real world; but according to this definition, rows on the chiffonnier, on the mantel, on the
several of the frequently deployed 'nova' of table under the window, round the flower, on
science fiction are things that 'science' has the bookshelf – everywhere. The chemist's
specifically ruled out of court as literally shop in Bramblehurst could not boast half so
impossible" (8). By his analysis, Roberts many. (22)
suggests science is the body of examination and By these above lines, it is clear Griffins
derivative laws established by experiment in collected materials to earn his invisibility
real world. But, science use in science fiction which are quite unusual and impossible. How
does not assemble this standard and follows can he make invisibility formula using these
literally impossible world which is too difficult aforementioned equipments are also amazing
to comprehend and quite mysterious to and hard to believe? In terms of collecting
deserve normally. It has no logic and experimental materials, he collects tiny
rationality; it is just unbelievable. resources to justify his investigation. He
In case of Griffin, the science used by randomly gathers so many supplies which
Griffin to make him invisible from English cannot afford by chemist's shop in
society is not appropriate scientific law and Bramblehurst. Hence, it is easily proved
142 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
Griffin's attempt to deserve his invisibility funny thing. People in Iping on the whole, agree
seems literally impossible that does not depend to dislike him. He is just irritable character:
on real scientific lab experiment. "His irritability, though it might have been
Similarly, Adam Roberts also claims comprehensible to an urban brain-worker, was
science fiction as the dull and adventurous an amazing thing to these quiet Sussex
characterization and exhausted plot that limits villagers" (30). What amazes the Iping villagers
criteria applied to other literature. He further might be pretty ordinary to most people. So far,
says "It is hard to deny many Science Fiction amazement has to do with relatively normal
tests are limited and narrow if judged by things: weird hair, acts like city-folk as usual.
aesthetic criteria sometimes applied to other He is the means of terror for people
literature that their characterization often is when people do not know him but later he is
then, their style dull and adventurous, their nothing to them. It clarifies "In the morning he
plots hackneyed" (14). By his criticism, it can had still been simply a legend, a terror; in the
be known that the characterization and plot of afternoon, by virtue chiefly of Kemp's drily
science fiction is duller, adventurous and worded proclamation, he was presented as a
drained in comparison to other literary genres tangible antagonist, to be wounded, captured,
and it loses the aesthetic criteria making or overcome" (181). When people do not know
narrow judgment. what the Invisible Man is, he is a source of
As we also can see in The Invisible Man terror and amazement. Once they know that he
Griffin's story loses aesthetic standards is just a man, people realize that he can be dealt
because of its dull characterization and unreal with. It seems like the unknown is the biggest
adventurous plot. In The Invisible Man, as we source of awe. His invention is not based on
might have guessed, it is awe and amazement scientific truth because real science based on
and of course it has sheer terror. Invisible men observation and experiments makes us think of
might be everywhere in other literature too but test tubes, labs, and some other procedures.
this Invisible men is really strange guy than we That is why Griffin's invisibility could not meet
have actually seen in real life. Here, these aesthetic values of serious literature or science
villagers are living their normal lives, and fiction rather it seems just funny and
suddenly they have to deal with something marvelous.
they have never even thought about. Focusing the materialist value of science
Considering that a random stranger is a Roberts also shouts: "Wells is a concrete
big deal in Iping, an Invisible man is almost too symbol of the dehumanization of science, a
much to handle and bear. As, it is clear through particular coding of the very materiality of
these lines: "It was inevitable that a person of science practice" (19). Hence, it is clear Wells's
so remarkable an appearance and bearing science using in science fiction make himself as
should form a frequent topic in such a village as the icon of dehumanization of science and he
Iping" (29). Even before he has revealed as the uses science for material perform. In The
Invisible Man, the stranger is so strange that he Invisible Man, Griffin is the model of science
is a source of amazement. Amazement can lead without humanity. He begins his road to
to curiosity and, in this case, it is gossip. This is decline in college when he becomes so
an example of people being amazed by obsessed with his experiments that he hides
relatively regular things – that is, compared to his work lest anyone else should receive credit.
an invisible man, a strange visitor is small Griffin always hides his plan to people around
143 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
him. He is the person of distrust and dishonest. himself from all sense of human compassion.
Hesitating Griffin's plan to hide himself from Simultaneously, in spite of his
people of Port Burdock Kemp says ""No one?" predicament, Griffin at no time expresses any
insisted Griffin."Not a soul"" (173). Kemp remorse for his behavior or for the crimes,
means Griffin is not the person of soul. Nobody which he merely describes as necessary. His
insists him to hide; however, he attempts to be only regret is frustration over not having
hidden from people. He himself dehumanizes thought about the drawbacks of invisibility. For
him. nearly a year, he works on trying to perfect an
When he runs out of money, he kills his antidote; when time runs out for that activity,
own father- a crime that makes the rest of his he first tries to leave the country and then plan
crimes light in comparison. Pointing murder of failing tries to find an accomplice for himself so
his own father Griffin says: "I robbed the old he can enjoy his invisibility and hence all the
man- robbed my father- The money was not comforts of life as well. He goes from obsession
his, and he shot himself" (129). Griffin takes his to fanaticism to insanity.
father death as light thing because he makes Again, Adam Roberts mentions Darko
his father to commit suicide to fulfill his Suvin's statement; he tries to say scientific
material gain using his scientific power. He portrayal exposed in Science Fiction as
goes from scientist to fanatic when he begins to falsifiability because science itself is not true
focus all of his attention merely on the concept rather it is the experiment based on various
of invisibility and neglects to think about the hypotheses. He states:
consequences of such a condition. Griffin again For Suvin the important things about
says "I did not feel bit sorry for my father. He the "science fiction" is that it is a discourse
seemed to me to be the victim own his foolish build a certain logical principles that avoids
sentimentality. The current cant required my self-contradiction; that it is rational rather than
attendance at his funeral, but it was really not emotional or instinctual. Scientists
my affair" (131). His statement suggests he has sometimes like to assert that they deal in
no regression and guilty in his father death. He "facts" and "truth" where fiction deals in
tries to escape from his responsibility towards "imagination" and is a form of laying. But, it is
his father funeral being himself as an inhuman more accurate to describe science as a
character. discipline based on falsifiability; a discourse in
Most of the events, Griffin seems which hypothesis are tested by experiment.
irresponsible and treats himself as inhuman Accordingly whilst a scientific premise may
character. He deceives everyone. Noticing provide false, it cannot be proved true. In
Griffin's attempt for murder Kemp says "He has science fiction, it is not that the use of science
cut himself off from his own kind. His blood be gives the tests a particular privileged access to
upon his own head" (179). Kemp has been truth. (9)
explaining Griffin’s intentions to the police. In As can be seen by Roberts's study,
devising the plan for murder and a "reign of Science Fiction discourse is based on logical
terror," Griffin has become "inhuman," and principle so it is rational rather than emotional
completely selfish. He "cut himself off" first by or instinctual that avoids self-contradiction. He
creating a condition which would force him to further says though the science fiction is the
the fringes of society. In planning to terrorize rational discourse; however science used in
that society for his own ends, he divorces science fiction it cannot present scientific fact
144 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
and truth. Science itself a discourse that based tries many hypotheses like real science for
on hypothesis tested by experiment so example he tries the invisibility on a cat then
scientific portrayal of science fiction cannot himself. Nevertheless, he himself fails to
access truth. It is just scientific fictionalizing in deserve his body to make invisible. His science
which science appears as pseudo- science or has gone untruthfully making himself just as
imaginative. pathetic character going out of social order.
In the same way, in the novel The Moreover, another critic Raymond
Invisible Man science just has been William in his Science Fiction Studies utters
fictionalized. The invisible Man is all about much of the science fictions evokes the anti-
science gone wrong. The science, Griffin use to scientific sentiment and dreadful breakdown of
make him invisible is totally based on man and society. He further asserts:Much
unrealistic scientific facts and truth. Griffin science fiction is really anti- science fiction-
tries to follow the law of optics that absorb Humanism is discarded in the very affirmation
light passing the refractive index of his body of the familiar contemporary myths of human
into air and makes him invisible is completely concern- The convention powerfully supports
anti scientific rule. Doubting the Griffin's this not only catastrophe, but social breakdown
attempt to make apparent human body is dominance. Under new adversity man and
invisible Kemp says: "Visibility depends on society at once breakdown but the evidence for
action of visible bodies on light. Either the body this is not from the record; it is rather
absorbs light or it reflects or refracts it, does all unconsciously from the writer's feelings
things. If it neither reflects nor refracts nor consciously from the convention of the thrilling
absorbs light, it cannot of itself be visible" story which needs trouble. (359)
(124-25). Kemp's lines suggests human body is According to William, it is clear most of
apparent neither it can absorb light nor it can the science fictions carry anti- scientific
refract light so it is impossible to make human sentiment. Humanism is lost and the
body invisible. His invisible just outcasts him protagonist loses his social status getting
from society and experiences a psychological lowest points that cause his social breakdown.
disconnection from humanity. Griffin's science The devastation of man and society is made
to make his body invisible is quite imaginative unconsciously by the writer; however, the
and not based on scientific truth. In order to convention of stimulating story needs trouble
convince his own experiment to be invisibility consciously. The central character goes beyond
to Kemp, Griffin speaks: "To do such a thing inhuman world breaking the social and moral
would be to transcend magic. And behold, standards spreading violence revealing him as
unclosed by doubt, a magnificent vision of all brutal character. In the same way, in The
that invisibility might mean to a man- the Invisible Man, we can view the situation of
mystery, the power, freedom." (128). It is clear Griffin as wicked character who invites anti-
through these Griffin's lines that Griffin himself scientific sentiment because of his violent
is not sure in his experiment and says his behavior to people. He is very inhuman
experiment is magic and his invisibility is character and rules Iping village violently going
mystery, power and freedom which is not beyond humanity. The narrator says: "People
based on real science. Griffin could not down the village heard shouts and shrieks, and
convince to Kemp about his experiment and looking up the street saw the "Coach and
utters not to doubt him. In his experiment, he Horses" violently firing out its humanity." (50)
145 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
It means it is clear Griffin orders people in with a violent gesture tore at his whiskers and
violent way destroying humanities. Griffin, the bandages" (50). Man, everything the Invisible
protagonist overwhelms him in false science in Man does is violent! He throws bottles, he rips
order to make him invisible thinking himself as his bandages off, and he even sneezes violently:
an adventurous character. But, his invention "The Invisible Man amused himself for a little
does not seem quite audacious. While involving while by breaking all the windows in the
wrong scientific method, Griffin not only "Coach and Horses," and then he thrust a street
invites his catastrophic situation but also put lamp through the parlor window of Mrs.
him in social breakdown. The central character Gribble" (83). Breaking street lamps! Party!
of adventure later, slowly follows the criminal Once again, the Invisible Man shows us his
way to threat English people but, he himself character through his incredibly violent
becomes the tool of danger and indicates the actions.
failure of science. Because of his failure he The central character, Griffin, is a
diminishes his aim and transforms himself in psychologically unrest character. His case can
pitiable and violent situation. be made for it also being a psychological crime
In the novel, The Invisible Man there is narrative of sorts, which tracks the journey one
no scientific environment rather it has sound of man, takes into criminality and madness, whilst
violence in each scene spreading anti- scientific pursuing a scientific experiment. His criminal
sentiment. In this book, dogs attack men and way crafts him to be troublesome and feeble
men attack dogs which we suppose is not fair. character undermining his endeavor. William
Dog's presence starts violence: "Then the finer further adds "The central character of an
end of Fearenside's whip reached his property, adventure story is usually so criminally
and the dog, yelping with dismay, retreated careless that he would not serve a day real
under the wheels of the wagon" (20). A little bit danger, but this makes for trouble and for more
of violence goes a long way. From this quick story and so here with the unacknowledged
scene, we learn that dogs can detect that there underlying aim" (359). By his analysis, it is
is something wrong about the Invisible Man. apparent the central character becomes more
There is another violent scene that hasty and decent less criminally and cannot
stones get thrown at people and at windows. A deceit day real danger. His incapability to cope
lot of furniture gets thrown, smashed, or just real danger suspiciously formulates the
banged around. Panicky way the Invisible Man protagonist to be as troublesome, pathetic and
gets into at least three big brawls, one of which aimless character. His criminality dissolves him
ends in his violent death. " But, once there was in such situation where he completely loses his
a concussion and a sound of bottles ringing sense and leads him to be failing in his
together as though the table had been hit, and destination.
the smash of a bottle flung violently down, and In case of Griffin, he also becomes
then a rapid pacing athwart the room" (24). extremely sloppy in his invisibility action and
The Invisible Man will take out his frustration leads him into vulnerable character losing his
on anything close to him. sense. In his ways of scientific quest, Griffin
For another example, check out the deserves all sorts of criminal activities namely
Invisible Man's "violent smashing of bottles" in threatening, beating, cheating and killing
(46). Here, we are not going to touch this guy people inhumanly. While doing so he
with a ten-foot pole. "He took off his hat, and disregards his goal of invisibility and directs
146 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
him in violent and criminal proceedings. The way, we expect someone to keep their friend's
Invisible Man beating up windows in the secrets, but when Griffin outlines his super
"Coach and Horses", check out the siege of villain plan to take over England, Kemp decides
Kemp's house refers another violent and that he has a more important priority than
criminal scene. Griffin use scientific violence loyalty to his friend: protecting his country and
and crime as the source of power to threaten neighbors. As, Griffin says: "He is invisible!" he
and defeat other: said. "And it reads like rage growing to mania!
Not wanton killing, but a judicious The things he may do! The things he may do!
slaying. The point is, they know there is an And he's upstairs free as the air. What on earth
Invisible Man - as well as we know there is an ought I to do" (121)? Kemp thinks his friend
Invisible Man. And that Invisible Man, Kemp, Griffin potentially dangerous, and decides that
must now establish a Reign of Terror. Yes; no he owes more to his neighbors and England
doubt it's startling. But I mean it. A Reign of than he owes to Griffin. So, he decides to help
Terror. He must take some town like everyone else by betraying Griffin. Griffin
your Burdock and terrify and dominate it. He himself also becomes the part of betrayal due
must issue his orders. He can do that in a to his tricky business based on unrealistic
thousand ways - scraps of paper thrust under scientific inquiry among the people of Port
doors would suffice. And all who disobey his Burdock as well as whole Iping territory.
orders he must kill, and kill all who would Real science of many scientists is
defend them. (174) shaped by wider social world. But, scientists of
For the Invisible Man, it seems like many science fiction books separate their
violence and crime are often just a hobby or a science from human values and desire because
fun activity. However, he lays out a plan. He it could not meet the scientific standard of real
only uses violence and crime in order to get science. It is just fictionalized going beyond
what he wants. In other words, violence and reality that creates tension for many scientists
crime here is a source of power. He focuses of science fiction books. Their science is more
both violence and the criminal way to use fictionalized and violets human values and
people in his order. He threats everyone choice. Talking about the relationship of
showing his power to kill them if they disorder science and science fiction Sherryl Vint in her
him. So, it is true it is a pretty violent book that "Science Studies" mentions statement of David
follows criminal way to make people afraid. Bloor that is " "real" science shaped by the
The criminal violence surrounding of the wider social world, a source of tension with
Invisible Man makes him to be more or less many scientists who insist on a vision of
human. His aim to be invisibility turns into science as separate and purified from the
criminal way and it leads him as a dismal and contingencies of human values and choices"
offended character. (414).Bloor line spells out fake science created
Betrayal also portrays another sound of in many science fiction books also creates
anti- scientific sentiment. Betrayal is always tension to their own scientists. Their scientists
tied up with priorities in The Invisible Man. cross moral and human values that lead
The Invisible Man does not steal from his dad themselves to be out from wider social world
just to be mean. He steals because he cares making them as inhuman character.
more about his scientific experiments than
anything else including his family. In the same
147 | P a g eNOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN No: 2581 - 4230
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4, Apr. -2021
In the story, the scientist, Griffin philanthropy, for sport. What was I to do? And
displays character traits that exemplify his for this I had become a wrapped-up mystery, a
negligence of consideration for his plan of swathed and bandaged caricature of a man!"
invisibility, leading him to inevitable (156)
consequences. As Griffin pleads for Dr. Kemp’s It is clear that without understanding of
assistance, he explains his yearning of what he is about to embark, Griffin’s plan for
""...elaborate plans for the complete realization the acquisition of advantages over his fellow
of the advantages my invisibility gave me as I men is falling apart. Without comprehending
still imagined over my fellow men""(139). In the multitude implications of his alteration, he
this narrative, Griffin plainly admits his illusion fails to accomplish what he yearns for most, the
of the associated benefits transforming from a ultimate ability to derive pleasure from life.
visible human being into an invisible character. Talking about the scientist appeared in
The corrupt thought of his alteration's science fiction and his situation, another critic
advantages motivates Griffin to impulsively Patrick Brantlinger in his "The Gothic Origin of
secure its realization without considering the Science Fiction" utters scientist's monstrous
consequences of its establishment. However, invention destroy his life rather it enriches to
only as an invisible man is Griffin able to him. He further affirms "The mad scientist is
understand the implications of his one item that shows up often in modern
transformation as he expresses: science fiction; the monstrous invention that
The more I thought it over, Kemp, the destroys life instead of enhancing it is another"
more I realized what a helpless absurdity (33). Through this line, it is obvious
an invisible man was - in a cold and dirty Brantlinger lets know Scientist's invention
climate and a crowded civilized city. Before I destroys his life making him as pathetic
made this mad experiment I had dreamt of a character at the end. The invention created by
thousand advantages. That afternoon it seemed mad scientist is not true and cannot enhance
all disappointment. I went over the heads of the their life rather it seems monstrous invention
things a man reckons desirable. No that can destroy his life. He further adds "In
doubt invisibility made it possible to get them, this pattern of radical disjunction from the
but it made it impossible to enjoy them when actual –what might be called the structural
they are got. (156) expression of imagination of disaster – lies the
Through this complaint, Griffin central bond between science fiction and the
expresses sincere regret of the misjudgment gothic romance" (35). Brantlinger affirms the
that leads him to the failure of his dreams, even pattern of science fiction is the patterns of
after invisibility has been attained. He now radical disjunction from actual that cause the
realizes the challenges of invisible man faces in structural expression of imagination of disaster
all aspects of life, from obtaining the basic which is the central bond within science fiction
necessities to withstanding the vicious and gothic romance. It means imagination
weather. He further exposes: created in science fiction leads the disaster in
Ambition - what is the good of pride of the life of scientist and this disaster has
place when you cannot appear there? What become the central content in most of science
is the good of the love of woman when her fiction novel.
name must need be Delilah? I have no taste for
politics, for the black-guardisms of fame, for
148 | P a g eYou can also read
