The Invisible Man · Chapter
The Furniture That Went Mad explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. and Mrs. Hall discover the stranger's room empty, his clothes and bandages left behind. As they investigate, the furniture in the room comes to life, attacking them and driving them out. The Halls and neighbors, including Mr. Sandy Wadgers, gather to discuss the strange events, but the stranger reappears, descends the stairs, and slams the parlor door in their faces, refusing to explain.
Themes in this chapter
Fear of the Unknown
The Halls and neighbors are terrified by the inexplicable behavior of the furniture and the stranger's disappearance, attributing it to spirits or witchcraft.
Isolation and Alienation
The stranger's reclusive and mysterious actions, including his refusal to explain, alienate him from the community and heighten their suspicion.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hall
Discovers the stranger's room empty and the front door unbolted; witnesses the furniture attack.
- Mrs. Hall
Goes to inspect the empty room and is attacked by the animated furniture; believes it is spirits.
- Millie
Roused by Mrs. Hall's scream; helps get her downstairs.
- Sandy Wadgers
Called by the Halls to help; suspects witchcraft and hesitates to break down the door.
- Huxter
Joins the discussion outside the inn after his apprentice is called over.
- Griffin
The stranger whose room is empty; later descends the stairs and slams the parlor door, refusing to explain.
Key passages
“The bedclothes gathered themselves together, leapt up suddenly into a sort of peak, and then jumped headlong over the bottom rail.”
The bed sheets bunched up, rose into a point, and then flung themselves over the foot of the bed.
Describes the supernatural animation of the bedclothes.
“The chair and bed seemed to be executing a dance of triumph for a moment, and then abruptly everything was still.”
The chair and bed appeared to celebrate briefly before suddenly becoming motionless.
Captures the eerie, momentary victory of the possessed furniture.
“I’d go in and ask’n ’bout it, I’d d’mand an explanation.”
I would go in and ask him about it, I would demand an explanation.
Mr. Wadgers suggests confronting the stranger directly.