Struggles In The Invisible Man
Struggles in the life of The Invisible Man The Invisible Man centers on an ambitious, condescending student of optics named Griffin, who discovers the ability to render objects invisible by radioactively reducing their refractive index to that of air. In a desperate moment, and a desire to assume advantage over his fellow man, Griffin impulsively subjects himself to the process and becomes invisible, Throughout the novel, the author discusses how what it is like to become an invisible man, the struggles one would go through after developing invisiblilty. The reader gets to experience and see the life of Griffin, and understand what has happened in his life to portray such conflict on his identity. Griffin also faces isolation in this novel, conflict with himself and others around him. In the case of Griffin losing his identity and not feeling like himself anymore, he feels like he is simply only an invisible man who just wants his revenge on an old friend for betraying him. He
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feels like he has no identity, he is only a nomad, no destination or purpose.
Identity is a very important idea or concept that people have because without an identity a person would not be the individual that he or she is, which is what the basic principle that everybody has that they are a unique being with a purpose and reason for someone to be alive. How would that person know himself and others and how would that person know how to act? Identity is not just about one person’s life but it affects other people, as well. One of the problems with other people and identity is that everyone wants to know everything about everybody. Griffin encounters a very nosy town of Iping in the beginning of the novel. The townsfolk comment on the mysteriousness of his just arriving, on his cover up appearance, and the fact he is loaded. The money is one reason that nobody digs too deep into
Griffin’s life.(Cantor) This only shows that even though people love to know things and gossip, if the right amount is thrown out identity is not the most important aspect to people. An example of this from the book was, “Mrs. Hall was pulled up suddenly. It was certainly rude of him after telling him all she has done. She gasps at him for a moment, and remembers the two sovereigns. She goes for the matches.” (Wells 6). Even though Mrs. Hall has explained to him about the hard day she has, Griffin rudely asks her if she will go get him something he wants to have. Later the Invisible Man comes out of hiding to get Dr. Kemp for betraying his trust. ““Stand away, you two” he said . “I want that Kemp”” (Wells 150). The invisible man comes forth and says that he wants revenge on Kemp for betraying him after he trusts him. The Invisible Man tells Kemp all about him and Kemp snitched him out to strangers, which goes to show again that money is usually all on someones mind, not who that person really is, or how good they are on the inside. Not what you can gain off of them.
Just imagine being invisible passing through the world in a body that is unseen by anyone (Handcock). Isolation feels like that, it feels as if there is a gap between everyone and everything known and the individual is alone. It does not just affect the individual it can also affect other people and cause conflict. Peoples’ body language and action talks even if words are not said, it tells an interesting story(Handcock). The Invisible Man is the protagonist as well as the antagonist in the novel which poses conflict in and of itself.(Ruff) He is his own worst enemy. He uses force and then tells himself that his actions are okay and should not be reprimanded. He really does not portray many social characteristics; he is just a nomad traveling from place to place, and never settling down (Ruff) What begins sending the Invisible Man into an isolated state is when he has to set fire to his house, “Fired the house. It was the only way to cover my trail and no doubt it was insured” (Wells 108). Griffin burned down his house and all his papers when he first turns invisible so no one can read his notes and research he’s collected over time. He does not want anyone to copy his work. He also makes no contact with anyone; He was all by himself, alone with no one to talk to and nowhere to live. This takes a toll on not only his identity, but his sanity and ability to communicate as well. He is now to survive unseen without clothes facing mind and body hardships (Handcock). An example of body conflict is when he states, ‘“But you begin now to realise” Said the invisible man “The full disadvantage of my condition”’ (Wells 120). He could not even go out in the rain or snow without being seen as it settles on himself, dirt and dust would make him visible, as well. As the reader can see he is basically all alone in this world. Physical contact would best be described at the end when the Invisible Man is brutally murdered by a mod of townsfolk. Kemp manages to subdue Griffin and in no time there are more than enough willing participants to beat Griffin to death. After his death you get irony in the fact that the people get to see what they did to Griffin when he becomes visible again. Slowly, and piece by piece starting with veins and ending in skin all the broken and bruised parts of just a young man around thirty with white hair and garnet colored eyes.
This novel also has a lot of conflict between characters, it elaborates in the first couple of pages of this novel that he is an outsider to the people of Iping, coming in unannounced and being a stranger in a small town is going to arouse suspicion and conflict. Griffin also robs his father as well. The people of Iping grow angry and concerned as Griffins invisibility is discovered. There are some examples of conflict in the fact that Mrs. Hall is kind of nosy. ““I wish you wouldn’t come in without knocking” he said” (Wells 16). He gets upset when she just barges into his room without knocking on the door first. Another analysis about conflict is when the Invisible Man confronts Kemp, ‘“I'm an invisible man. It's no foolishness, and no magic. I really am an invisible man, and I want your help. Don't you remember me, Kemp? Griffin, of University College”’ (Wells 84)? Griffin tries to convince Dr. Kemp that he is an invisible man and it's not some trick or hypnotism and that he is in need of help, food, and drink. Kemp is torn in a conflict on whether not to help and believe Griffin or kick him to the curb. But later in the book, the deviant man Griffin otherwise known as the Invisible Man is against the outgoing man Kemp for betraying him and you see conflict in their interactions. Griffin uses his invisibility to fight Kemp and Adye, ending in Adye getting shot. Griffin resorts to unlawful and immoral methods throughout the story to get the materials he needs to finish his research and reverse the process of his invisibility, causing conflict between his unknowing victims So out of all of this, invisibility has caused almost all the awful and isolating things that happened to Griffin throughout this novel. Griffin’s research in optics and experiments into changing the human body's refractive index to that of air results in his becoming invisible. The formula entails taking heroin with another drug, which in turn will make his blood clear, then processing himself through a radiator engine. What the Invisible Man failed to consider is whether it is actually advantageous for a man to be invisible. Griffin never anticipated the difficulties he would incur through his invisibility. As it turned out, being stark naked at all times was uncomfortable. The process of waiting for food to assimilate was inconvenient. People and vehicles unaware of his presence proved hazardous. In fact, Griffin discovers that there was really very little he could do without betraying himself. His invisibility, his desire to disappear and dominate, was actually a cause of detectability and vulnerability. Griffin did not consider the ramifications of his experiment and he finds himself not able to reverse the invisibility. Once Griffin realizes that he is a helpless absurdity, a mere caricature of a man, it is too late. He desperately struggles to figure out how to reverse the process, with plans to aquire riches while invisible before becoming visible again to enjoy them. His research unfolds alongside the useless defense of his secret. For an invisible man, Griffin attracts a great deal of attention. The only clothes he is able to get ahold of are from a theater. His head is covered in bandages with a wig, goggles, and a fake nose to breathe. Griffin’s only recourse for being hidden is the most conspicuous thing in the world. He cannot hide his freakishness as he might try, he is a prisoner of his error. He struggled after the process to find himself in a sea of people and faces. He goes through so much conflict not only with himself but with others around him. Before the Invisible Man turns himself invisible, he did not get along with anybody. He is a grumpy sort of mans he still cannot learn his lesson after becoming invisible, which eventually brought about his demise. After the process he confesses to Kemp that there is no good thing about being an invisible man, he had dreamt of thousands of uses for being invisible and when he finally became invisible he could find none (Phipps) He should have just cut his losses and left town instead of pursuing Kemp in a useless attempt at a revenge scheme. All this happened in Griffins life to portray conflict and isolation on his identity. These events bring about personal issues with his identity, conflict with himself and others, and isolation mentally and physically. All of these topics are very important in the portrayal of the Invisible Man’s character. These ideas contribute to why he loses his identity and doesn't feel like himself anymore, he is invisible and cannot find himself, and he never really does find himself until it is too late.
feels like he has no identity, he is only a nomad, no destination or purpose.
Identity is a very important idea or concept that people have because without an identity a person would not be the individual that he or she is, which is what the basic principle that everybody has that they are a unique being with a purpose and reason for someone to be alive. How would that person know himself and others and how would that person know how to act? Identity is not just about one person’s life but it affects other people, as well. One of the problems with other people and identity is that everyone wants to know everything about everybody. Griffin encounters a very nosy town of Iping in the beginning of the novel. The townsfolk comment on the mysteriousness of his just arriving, on his cover up appearance, and the fact he is loaded. The money is one reason that nobody digs too deep into
Griffin’s life.(Cantor) This only shows that even though people love to know things and gossip, if the right amount is thrown out identity is not the most important aspect to people. An example of this from the book was, “Mrs. Hall was pulled up suddenly. It was certainly rude of him after telling him all she has done. She gasps at him for a moment, and remembers the two sovereigns. She goes for the matches.” (Wells 6). Even though Mrs. Hall has explained to him about the hard day she has, Griffin rudely asks her if she will go get him something he wants to have. Later the Invisible Man comes out of hiding to get Dr. Kemp for betraying his trust. ““Stand away, you two” he said . “I want that Kemp”” (Wells 150). The invisible man comes forth and says that he wants revenge on Kemp for betraying him after he trusts him. The Invisible Man tells Kemp all about him and Kemp snitched him out to strangers, which goes to show again that money is usually all on someones mind, not who that person really is, or how good they are on the inside. Not what you can gain off of them.
Just imagine being invisible passing through the world in a body that is unseen by anyone (Handcock). Isolation feels like that, it feels as if there is a gap between everyone and everything known and the individual is alone. It does not just affect the individual it can also affect other people and cause conflict. Peoples’ body language and action talks even if words are not said, it tells an interesting story(Handcock). The Invisible Man is the protagonist as well as the antagonist in the novel which poses conflict in and of itself.(Ruff) He is his own worst enemy. He uses force and then tells himself that his actions are okay and should not be reprimanded. He really does not portray many social characteristics; he is just a nomad traveling from place to place, and never settling down (Ruff) What begins sending the Invisible Man into an isolated state is when he has to set fire to his house, “Fired the house. It was the only way to cover my trail and no doubt it was insured” (Wells 108). Griffin burned down his house and all his papers when he first turns invisible so no one can read his notes and research he’s collected over time. He does not want anyone to copy his work. He also makes no contact with anyone; He was all by himself, alone with no one to talk to and nowhere to live. This takes a toll on not only his identity, but his sanity and ability to communicate as well. He is now to survive unseen without clothes facing mind and body hardships (Handcock). An example of body conflict is when he states, ‘“But you begin now to realise” Said the invisible man “The full disadvantage of my condition”’ (Wells 120). He could not even go out in the rain or snow without being seen as it settles on himself, dirt and dust would make him visible, as well. As the reader can see he is basically all alone in this world. Physical contact would best be described at the end when the Invisible Man is brutally murdered by a mod of townsfolk. Kemp manages to subdue Griffin and in no time there are more than enough willing participants to beat Griffin to death. After his death you get irony in the fact that the people get to see what they did to Griffin when he becomes visible again. Slowly, and piece by piece starting with veins and ending in skin all the broken and bruised parts of just a young man around thirty with white hair and garnet colored eyes.
This novel also has a lot of conflict between characters, it elaborates in the first couple of pages of this novel that he is an outsider to the people of Iping, coming in unannounced and being a stranger in a small town is going to arouse suspicion and conflict. Griffin also robs his father as well. The people of Iping grow angry and concerned as Griffins invisibility is discovered. There are some examples of conflict in the fact that Mrs. Hall is kind of nosy. ““I wish you wouldn’t come in without knocking” he said” (Wells 16). He gets upset when she just barges into his room without knocking on the door first. Another analysis about conflict is when the Invisible Man confronts Kemp, ‘“I'm an invisible man. It's no foolishness, and no magic. I really am an invisible man, and I want your help. Don't you remember me, Kemp? Griffin, of University College”’ (Wells 84)? Griffin tries to convince Dr. Kemp that he is an invisible man and it's not some trick or hypnotism and that he is in need of help, food, and drink. Kemp is torn in a conflict on whether not to help and believe Griffin or kick him to the curb. But later in the book, the deviant man Griffin otherwise known as the Invisible Man is against the outgoing man Kemp for betraying him and you see conflict in their interactions. Griffin uses his invisibility to fight Kemp and Adye, ending in Adye getting shot. Griffin resorts to unlawful and immoral methods throughout the story to get the materials he needs to finish his research and reverse the process of his invisibility, causing conflict between his unknowing victims So out of all of this, invisibility has caused almost all the awful and isolating things that happened to Griffin throughout this novel. Griffin’s research in optics and experiments into changing the human body's refractive index to that of air results in his becoming invisible. The formula entails taking heroin with another drug, which in turn will make his blood clear, then processing himself through a radiator engine. What the Invisible Man failed to consider is whether it is actually advantageous for a man to be invisible. Griffin never anticipated the difficulties he would incur through his invisibility. As it turned out, being stark naked at all times was uncomfortable. The process of waiting for food to assimilate was inconvenient. People and vehicles unaware of his presence proved hazardous. In fact, Griffin discovers that there was really very little he could do without betraying himself. His invisibility, his desire to disappear and dominate, was actually a cause of detectability and vulnerability. Griffin did not consider the ramifications of his experiment and he finds himself not able to reverse the invisibility. Once Griffin realizes that he is a helpless absurdity, a mere caricature of a man, it is too late. He desperately struggles to figure out how to reverse the process, with plans to aquire riches while invisible before becoming visible again to enjoy them. His research unfolds alongside the useless defense of his secret. For an invisible man, Griffin attracts a great deal of attention. The only clothes he is able to get ahold of are from a theater. His head is covered in bandages with a wig, goggles, and a fake nose to breathe. Griffin’s only recourse for being hidden is the most conspicuous thing in the world. He cannot hide his freakishness as he might try, he is a prisoner of his error. He struggled after the process to find himself in a sea of people and faces. He goes through so much conflict not only with himself but with others around him. Before the Invisible Man turns himself invisible, he did not get along with anybody. He is a grumpy sort of mans he still cannot learn his lesson after becoming invisible, which eventually brought about his demise. After the process he confesses to Kemp that there is no good thing about being an invisible man, he had dreamt of thousands of uses for being invisible and when he finally became invisible he could find none (Phipps) He should have just cut his losses and left town instead of pursuing Kemp in a useless attempt at a revenge scheme. All this happened in Griffins life to portray conflict and isolation on his identity. These events bring about personal issues with his identity, conflict with himself and others, and isolation mentally and physically. All of these topics are very important in the portrayal of the Invisible Man’s character. These ideas contribute to why he loses his identity and doesn't feel like himself anymore, he is invisible and cannot find himself, and he never really does find himself until it is too late.