The Invisible Man · Chapter
XII: The Invisible Man Loses His Temper explained
The chapter describes the chaos in Iping as the Invisible Man, enraged, attacks townspeople, destroys property, and causes a general panic.
What happens
The chapter describes the chaos in Iping as the Invisible Man, enraged, attacks townspeople, destroys property, and causes a general panic. Mr. Marvel escapes with the stolen books and clothes, while the villagers flee and hide. The Invisible Man rampages through the street, breaking windows and cutting telegraph wires, before vanishing.
Themes in this chapter
Invisibility and Identity
The Invisible Man's rampage highlights how invisibility strips him of social identity and unleashes his violent impulses.
Madness and Descent
Griffin's temper and irrational violence show his descent into madness as he lashes out indiscriminately.
Fear of the Unknown
The villagers' panic and flight stem from their terror of an unseen, uncontrollable force.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hall
Listens at the parlour door and later pursues Marvel, only to be tripped by the Invisible Man.
- Mr. Teddy Henfrey
Discusses the strange events with Hall and witnesses the commotion.
- Mrs. Hall
Remains in the bar and tries to dismiss the disturbance, but later observes the chaos.
- Mr. Cuss
Emerges from the parlour in a makeshift kilt, shouting about stolen clothes, and is knocked down in the tumult.
- Mr. Bunting
Attempts to clothe himself in a hearthrug and newspaper, then flees up the village.
- Huxter
Runs out shouting 'Stop thief!' and is tripped by the Invisible Man.
Key passages
“It is unavoidable that at this point the narrative should break off again, for a certain very painful reason that will presently be apparent.”
The story must pause here because something distressing is about to happen.
The narrator signals a shift to chaotic events.
“You must figure the street full of running figures, of doors slamming and fights for hiding places.”
Imagine the street crowded with people fleeing, doors banging shut, and everyone scrambling to hide.
Vivid description of the panic in Iping.
“He had been charged just as one charges a man at football.”
He was knocked over like a football tackle.
Comparison to a sports move to describe the Invisible Man's attack.