The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

In Chapter 7 some of the townspeople run about and fall over each other. How does this affect the mood of the story?

Chapter eight was quite brief. What do you think was the purpose of such a brief chapter? Was it necessary or could it have been included in the chapter before or after it?

Why do you think the stranger chooses a tramp to ask for help?

The stranger says to Thomas Marvel, ‘An Invisible Man is a man of great power.’ What power does he have? Is this real power or an illusion that the stranger only thinks he has power?

What was your reaction to the fact the stranger would never see Iping again?

There is a lot of humor in this story, even with the dark and threatening mystery man. There is something ridiculous about people grappling with a person they can't see. The tramp is certainly humorous and so are a lot of the townspeople.

I kept wondering, "Why don't they use dogs to find the invisible man?" He has a scent!

Good point, Robin.

I noticed the humor also. I sometimes find myself smiling at the absurdity even as I am disgusted with various actions.

The main character's behavior is disturbing, at best. We don't know how he behaved before he was invisible, but it is unlikely his behavior has changed for the better. He is really taking advantage of his situation in some of the worst possible ways.

I'm also enjoying the humor but disturbed by the invisible man's behavior. On one hand, I feel his frustration. No one seems inclined to help him out of goodwill after all (if they even believe he's an invisible man and not a spirit).

Some of the absurd scenes reminded me a bit of Master and Margarita, but I'm enjoying this more.

Will try to finish the book tomorrow.

I think the sole purpose of Chapter 8 was to introduce Mr. Marvel who might become an important character as the story progresses.

There is certainly some humor in the way author describes the behaviour of Mr. Marvel during his first meeting with the invisible man, or the description of how people try to catch hold of the escaping Invisible man, but soon it takes a turn for the worse.
We see plenty of threats and acts of violence initiated by the invisible man even though he could have managed to achieve his objectives without that.

As for, why he chose a tramp to be his helper, I think he was purely out of options. In Chapter 13 he agreed that Mr. Marvel was indeed a "miserable tool" and that he "must" use this tool.

By the lines "An invisible man is a man of great powers", he means that his acts can't be seen by others and hence he doesn't have to restrict himself by anything defined by social norms. He probably believed that being invisible, he could easily avoid the law of the land.

An illusion can be something which optical or perceptual. While the the man was "invisible" and it could be considered a power, perceptually he was just a plain man with s perception that no one can see him or judge him.

I agree with your comments about power. He thinks he is above the law and morals because he can't be seen.