# In the Emporium explained — The Invisible Man

> Chapter companion for The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells.

## What happens

Griffin recounts his first night as an invisible man in London, seeking shelter in the Omnium department store. He describes his initial plan to steal clothes and money, his discovery of the store's resources, and his eventual escape after being discovered by shop assistants. The chapter ends with his realization that the emporium is hopeless and his decision to leave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Invisibility and Identity

Griffin's invisibility forces him to rely on disguise and theft to maintain a semblance of human identity, as seen in his search for clothes and a fake nose.

### Isolation and Alienation

Griffin's solitude in the empty store and his inability to confide in anyone highlight his profound alienation from society.

### Fear of the Unknown

The shop assistants' panic and pursuit of the unseen intruder illustrate the terror that the unknown inspires.

## Character check-ins

### Griffin

The invisible man, narrating his experience in the Omnium emporium, where he seeks shelter, clothing, and food.

### Dr. Kemp

The listener to Griffin's story, interjecting briefly to identify 'art pots'.

## Key lines

> I had no refuge, no appliances, no human being in the world in whom I could confide.

Griffin felt completely alone, without shelter, tools, or anyone to trust.

_Highlights his isolation and desperation._

> I contrived to enter, and walking down the shop—it was a department where they were selling ribbons and gloves and stockings and that kind of thing—came to a more spacious region devoted to picnic baskets and wicker furniture.

Griffin managed to sneak into the store and wandered through various sections, eventually finding a larger area with picnic baskets and wicker furniture.

_Describes his initial exploration of the emporium._

> I made one last desperate turn and found myself among lamps and ironmongery. I went behind the counter of this, and waited for my cook, and as he bolted in at the head of the chase, I doubled him up with a lamp.

In a final frantic move, Griffin hid behind a counter in the lamp section and struck the pursuing cook with a lamp.

_Shows his violent struggle to escape capture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters/xxii-in-the-emporium
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters