Below are 5 quotes from the book along with commentary to explain their signifigance.
" 'But what devilry must happen to make a man invisible?' " (Wells 90)
In this quote Kemp starts to deny the scientific aspects of invisibility when an invisible Griffin approaches him. Kemp is skeptical of invisibility, calling it, "horrible". Kemp's criticism of invisibility could be a foreshadowing of the terror that is soon to come when Griffin takes advantage of his invisibility. This is because at the time, there seemed to be no discrete illegal advantages that invisibility could give you. It seemed that it was all in good fun.
" 'I robbed the old man - robbed my father.' " (Wells 106)
In this quote Griffin is in the process of explaining his backstory when he tells Kemp that he needed money so he robbed his father for some. This is very significant because we see in this quote for the first time that Griffin already has a record of theft, against someone he should truly love. This helps illustrates the desperation and trouble Griffin had in the past, and validates his ability to commit crime.
" 'I was invisible, and I was just starting to realise the extraordinary advantage my invisibility gave to me.' " (Wells 116)
In this quote, Griffin begins to realize how is invisibility could help him. This is very important because it is the beginning of his rise to terror. These distinct advantages would help him in robbing people and running away from the police after a crime. At this point, however, Griffins intentions seem purely for fun.
" 'It's useful in getting away, it's useful in approaching. It's particularly useful, therefore, in killing.' " (Wells 140)
In this quote Griffin narrows the advantages of invisibility to two things: running away and getting near someone. This is frightening because Griffin mentions that these two advantages will work together to help him kill people. It is in this quote where Griffin's intentions to murder and cause chaos are revealed. All other advantages of being invisible were eclipsed by the advantage of being able to get away with murder. Griffin would later, of course, put his advantages to use.
" 'The man's become inhuman, I tell you, ' " (Wells 145)
In this quote, Kemp is calling Griffin inhuman after his recent attacks on the town. This marks the point where even those who are close to Griffin start to turn their backs toward him and want to bust him for his crimes.
" 'But what devilry must happen to make a man invisible?' " (Wells 90)
In this quote Kemp starts to deny the scientific aspects of invisibility when an invisible Griffin approaches him. Kemp is skeptical of invisibility, calling it, "horrible". Kemp's criticism of invisibility could be a foreshadowing of the terror that is soon to come when Griffin takes advantage of his invisibility. This is because at the time, there seemed to be no discrete illegal advantages that invisibility could give you. It seemed that it was all in good fun.
" 'I robbed the old man - robbed my father.' " (Wells 106)
In this quote Griffin is in the process of explaining his backstory when he tells Kemp that he needed money so he robbed his father for some. This is very significant because we see in this quote for the first time that Griffin already has a record of theft, against someone he should truly love. This helps illustrates the desperation and trouble Griffin had in the past, and validates his ability to commit crime.
" 'I was invisible, and I was just starting to realise the extraordinary advantage my invisibility gave to me.' " (Wells 116)
In this quote, Griffin begins to realize how is invisibility could help him. This is very important because it is the beginning of his rise to terror. These distinct advantages would help him in robbing people and running away from the police after a crime. At this point, however, Griffins intentions seem purely for fun.
" 'It's useful in getting away, it's useful in approaching. It's particularly useful, therefore, in killing.' " (Wells 140)
In this quote Griffin narrows the advantages of invisibility to two things: running away and getting near someone. This is frightening because Griffin mentions that these two advantages will work together to help him kill people. It is in this quote where Griffin's intentions to murder and cause chaos are revealed. All other advantages of being invisible were eclipsed by the advantage of being able to get away with murder. Griffin would later, of course, put his advantages to use.
" 'The man's become inhuman, I tell you, ' " (Wells 145)
In this quote, Kemp is calling Griffin inhuman after his recent attacks on the town. This marks the point where even those who are close to Griffin start to turn their backs toward him and want to bust him for his crimes.