# At the House in Great Portland Street explained — The Invisible Man > Chapter companion for The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells. ## What happens Griffin recounts to Kemp his experiments in invisibility, including the process of making himself invisible, the accidental discovery of the effect on a cat, the destruction of his apparatus, and the arson he committed to cover his tracks. He describes his isolation, his father's funeral, and his growing sense of detachment from humanity. ## Themes in this chapter ### Isolation and Alienation Griffin describes feeling detached from the world, even at his father's funeral, and his loneliness in the empty room. ### Science and Ethics Griffin's amoral pursuit of invisibility, including experimenting on a cat and burning down a house, highlights the ethical void in his scientific ambition. ### Madness and Descent Griffin's obsessive focus on his research, his rage at interruptions, and his lack of remorse suggest a descent into madness. ## Character check-ins ### Griffin Narrates his experiments and the process of becoming invisible, revealing his emotional detachment and ruthless pragmatism. ### Dr. Kemp Listens to Griffin's story, interjecting with shock at Griffin's actions, such as arson. ## Key lines > I was like a man emerging from a thicket, and suddenly coming on some unmeaning tragedy. Griffin felt as if he had been so absorbed in his work that real life events seemed sudden and meaningless. _Griffin describes his detachment from his father's death._ > I did not feel then that I was lonely, that I had come out from the world into a desolate place. At the time, Griffin did not recognize his own isolation or that he had left society behind. _Griffin reflects on his emotional state after the funeral._ > I could scarcely believe I had done it. I put my hand into the emptiness, and there was the thing as solid as ever. Griffin was amazed that the fabric had become invisible yet remained physically present. _Griffin's first successful invisibility experiment with white wool._ > Fired the house. It was the only way to cover my trail—and no doubt it was insured. Griffin set the house on fire to destroy evidence, rationalizing it by assuming the property was insured. _Griffin admits to arson without remorse._ > My face was white—like white stone. Griffin's face had become completely pale, startling his landlord. _Griffin sees his own transformed appearance in the mirror._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters/xx-at-the-house-in-great-portland-street - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters