The Invisible Man

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1897

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-20

Chapter 21-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Themes

The Uncanny

The uncanny, a concept made famous by Freud’s essay on the topic, was not widely discussed until the early 1900s. However, there are elements of the uncanny at work in The Invisible Man. This is likely because, writing just before the 20th century, Wells lived in the same Victorian milieu from which Freud’s famous essay emerged. The sensation of the uncanny, as Freud defined it, often arises when the taboo is made public.

The Invisible Man deals directly with this theme as the protagonist manifests his taboo lust for power. Invisibility is Griffin’s means of liberation from societal constraints, and with his newfound power, his first instinct is to exploit and destroy his fellow men. The Invisible Man is like a personified id, stripped of its superego and shamelessly pursuing base desires. The horror that people experience upon discovering Griffin’s invisibility may be less about his appearance and more about his role as a monster among men.

The uncanny is also present when Griffin hides amongst people, giving them “the feeling that is called ‘eerie’” (71). While they cannot see Griffin, they can sense his presence, like a ghost or spirit. Finally, when Griffin’s physical identity is revealed, the novel deals directly with the uncanny: When his albinism is made apparent (a stigmatized social taboo in the 1800s), his appearance causes discomfort. Bystanders watching his gradual appearance feel they are witness to the exposure of an indecent secret, and they are appalled: “Cover his face [...] For Gawd’s sake, cover that face!” (133).

The Fragility of Morality

The tale of the ring of Gyges is found in Plato’s Republic (4th century BC), and is a likely source of inspiration for Wells’ novel. In the tale, a man discovers a ring that grants him the power of invisibility, and he uses this power to commit unjust acts. Referencing this story, Glaucon (Plato’s brother) posits that anyone would choose immoral behavior if it served their self-interest, and a person’s only motivation for moral integrity is their fear of penalty. Socrates, of course, rejects Glaucon’s egoistic argument—but The Invisible Man engages the thesis of such fragile morality. All the novel’s characters are drawn to the power of invisibility, but Griffin’s character exposes humanity’s innate susceptibility to corruption. Indeed, in The Republic, Socrates’ argument would maintain that Griffin is not truly free, but enslaved by his own appetites.

The theme of morality is further dramatized by its connection to alienation and society; Invisibility alienates Griffin from humanity, estranging him both literally and figuratively. Unbound from the shackles of service to the common good, he is free to do as he wishes—and, almost immediately, he abuses his power to commit theft, violence, and eventually murder. His character is set in contrast to his peer, the morally grounded Kemp, who is horrified by Griffin’s choices and describes him as having “cut himself off from his kind” (116). Kemp reminds the reader that the social contract, or “the common conventions of humanity” (106) aren’t a hindrance but rather a guiding light. Without his morality, Griffin squanders his incredible discovery and is lost to exile and corruption. Invisibility thus animates the idea of the human conscience, posing the questions: Are we only good if we are being watched? Do we only act ethically for fear of penalty? Griffin’s grim demise suggests that although absolute moral license is enticing, it will ultimately lead to personal ruin.

Faith Versus Rationality

The Industrial Revolution affected almost every aspect of life for the English. Witness to the rapidity of scientific progress and cultural change, some people felt concerned for their country’s moral future.

The novel repeatedly pits religion (or faith) against science (or rationality). For example, when Mr. and Mrs. Bunting sense a burglary happening right before their eyes, they cannot fathom the possibility of an invisible man in their midst. Rather, they assume it is a spiritual visitation. Mrs. Hall, upon discovering that her esteemed customer, the “experimental investigator” (23) might be the burglar, turns to her faith to explain his demonic appearance: “I might ha’ known. With them goggling eyes and bandaged head, and never going to church of a Sunday” (31).

Much of the plot occurs against the backdrop of a celebration honoring Whit Monday, and this setting keeps faith in steady conversation with the action of the text. The interplay between Griffin’s increasingly unprincipled behavior and the villagers’ religious allusions creates a tension between science and faith. While the reader can see that a strict adherence to faith causes the villagers to miss vital information, Griffin’s sole reliance on the power of science costs him his conscience. The novel offers Kemp as a hopeful vision of the future: He is well-educated and disdainful of old-world superstition, yet he maintains a Christian ethic. The novel suggests that the coming 20th century will need a solid moral anchor to temper any destabilizing scientific progress.