# The Plan That Failed explained — The Invisible Man

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

## What happens

Griffin reveals his plan to establish a reign of terror by dominating a town like Burdock, but Kemp, having secretly alerted the police, attempts to trap him. A struggle ensues, Griffin escapes, and Colonel Adye is injured in the chaos.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

Griffin's plan to dominate a town through murder and fear exemplifies the corrupting influence of absolute power.

### Madness and Descent

Griffin's grandiose scheme and paranoid reactions reveal his psychological unraveling.

### Isolation and Alienation

Griffin's insistence on acting alone and his inability to trust others lead to his downfall.

## Character check-ins

### Griffin

Outlines his plan for a reign of terror and confronts Kemp's betrayal.

### Dr. Kemp

Feigns agreement with Griffin while secretly plotting his capture; attempts to lock him in the study.

### Colonel Adye

Arrives with police in response to Kemp's letter; is attacked and thrown down the stairs by Griffin.

## Key lines

> And that invisible man, Kemp, must now establish a reign of terror. Yes; no doubt it's startling. But I mean it. A reign of terror. He must take some town like your Burdock and terrify and dominate it.

Griffin declares that he must create a regime of fear by seizing control of a town like Burdock through intimidation and violence.

_Griffin's explicit statement of his plan for a reign of terror._

> Kemp made three swift steps to the door, and forthwith the invisible man—his legs had vanished—sprang to his feet with a shout. Kemp flung the door open.

Kemp quickly moved to the door and opened it, while Griffin, whose legs had already become invisible, leaped up and shouted.

_The moment Kemp attempts to trap Griffin by opening the door._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters/xxiv-the-plan-that-failed
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_invisible_man_se/chapters