The Invisible Man Betrayal Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

The Invisible Man appeared to be regarding Kemp. "Because I've a particular objection to being caught by my fellow-men," he said slowly […]

"Fool that I am!" said the Invisible Man, striking the table smartly. "I've put the idea into your head." (17.97, 99)

When the Invisible Man calls the people who would catch him "my fellow-men," he seems to recognize some common quality between him and the people around him – even those he worries will betray him.

Quote #5

"He is invisible!" he said. "And it reads like rage growing to mania! The things he may do! The things he may do! And he's upstairs free as the air. What on earth ought I to do?" (18.30)

This is one of the most interesting questions in the book, we think: if you had a friend who seemed potentially dangerous, what would you do? In this case, Kemp decides that he owes more to his neighbors and England than he owes to Griffin, so he decides to help everyone else by betraying Griffin.

Quote #6

"It occurred to me that the radiators, if they fell into the hands of some acute well-educated person, would give me away too much, and watching my opportunity, I came into the room and tilted one of the little dynamos off its fellow on which it was standing, and smashed both apparatus." (20.52)

The Invisible Man worries that his equipment will betray him. That is, he worries that these radiators will tell his secret. There's some irony here because Griffin is telling this story to Kemp, who will tell Griffin's secrets. Notice also that Griffin's solution here is violence, which will also be his solution when it comes to Kemp. We're seeing a trend here.