The Invisible Man · Chapter
The Invisible Man Sleeps explained
Exhausted and wounded, the Invisible Man secures his sleeping quarters in Kemp's home, locking Kemp out of his own bedroom.
What happens
Exhausted and wounded, the Invisible Man secures his sleeping quarters in Kemp's home, locking Kemp out of his own bedroom. Kemp, left alone, grapples with the reality of invisibility and reads newspaper accounts of the Iping rampage, realizing the Invisible Man is both mad and dangerous. He begins to consider betraying Griffin and writes a note to Colonel Adye.
Themes in this chapter
Invisibility and Identity
Griffin's invisibility challenges Kemp's understanding of reality and identity, as he confronts a headless dressing gown and the impossibility of an invisible man.
Madness and Descent
Kemp reads reports of the Iping rampage and concludes that the Invisible Man is 'mad! Homicidal!', highlighting Griffin's descent into mania.
Isolation and Alienation
Griffin, despite being in Kemp's home, remains isolated by his invisibility and his own paranoid actions, locking himself away from human contact.
Characters to notice
- Griffin
Exhausted and wounded, he secures the bedroom and dressing room, locks Kemp out, and prepares to sleep.
- Dr. Kemp
Struggles to accept the reality of invisibility, reads newspaper reports of the Iping events, and begins to consider betraying Griffin by writing to Colonel Adye.
- Mr. Marvel
Mentioned in the newspaper account as having been forced to accompany the Invisible Man for twenty-four hours.
- Colonel Adye
Kemp addresses a note to him, indicating the beginning of a plan to betray Griffin.
- Mr. Bobby Jaffers
Reported in the newspaper as insensible after the Iping rampage.
- Huxter
Reported in the newspaper as in great pain and unable to describe what he saw.
Key passages
“Exhausted and wounded as the invisible man was, he refused to accept Kemp’s word that his freedom should be respected.”
Despite being tired and hurt, the Invisible Man did not trust Kemp's promise to let him go free.
Shows Griffin's deep paranoia and lack of trust even toward Kemp.
“Kemp stood in the middle of the room staring at the headless garment.”
Kemp stood still, gazing at the dressing gown that had no visible wearer.
Highlights the surreal and disorienting nature of invisibility.
“He is not only invisible, but he's mad! Homicidal!”
The Invisible Man is not just unseen; he is insane and dangerous.
Kemp's realization of the threat Griffin poses.
“He went to a little untidy desk in the corner, and began a note. He tore this up half written, and wrote another. He read it over and considered it. Then he took an envelope and addressed it to 'Colonel Adye, Port Burdock.'”
Kemp started a letter, discarded it, wrote a new one, and finally addressed it to Colonel Adye.
Marks the turning point where Kemp decides to betray Griffin.