compare and contrast the character of Dr Kemp and with that of Griffin of class 12 novel the invisible Man
Answers
Dr. Kemp and Griffin were two diametrically opposite characters. Though scientists by profession, morally, ethically they were poles apart.
Griffin was a man who had no conscience, was callous towards other people and simply self-centered. He appeared to be at war with the entire mankind. All his actions stemmed from his desire to save himself, with not a thought of care and sympathy for others. He did many mean acts in the novel. When he was short of money he continued his experiments, without any thoughts of the consequences, he robed his own father, who committed suicide because the money was not his. He attended his father’s funeral without feeling sorry for his own act; instead he blamed his father for being a sentimental fool. He experimented on a cat, with no concern for the poor creature’s cries of pain. He threw it out and never tried to find whether it was alive or dead. He burnt down the house at Great Portland Street when the landlord and his sons found about his experiments and were horrified. He was only worried about covering his trail.
Even after becoming invisible he committed one brutal act after another, not because they were necessary for his survival, but simply because he enjoyed doing them. The way he looted his owner of a small costume shop, and left after striking the old man on his head, spoke volumes about his inhumanity. He terrorized Marvel when he was on the run, fought with the policemen. His plan to spread reign of terror among people using his powers of invisibility really shocked Dr. Kemp. He even tried to kill him for betraying him. In his final run from the people hunting him, he killed an old man with a rod because he bumped into him.
Dr. Kemp on the other hand was a man of principles and understood his responsibilities to his fellow men and women. Not only he helped Griffin in his hour of need but also dared to risk his life for saving his fellow men and women from the cruel plans of Griffin.
He was quite observant and self-confident scientist. He examined the first traces of the Invisible man’s presence in his house objectively. On coming face with him, Kemp did not at all get started. Without losing his composure, he heard Griffin’s entire story with patience and assured to provide all the help he could. However, after he read all the reports about the invisible man as printed in the newspapers, he sent a word to the police chief, Colonel Adye to come and arrest this criminal.
After he became sure Griffin was a danger mankind, he took decisions in the larger interest of the welfare of the society. The manner in which he got Griffin arrested – by making himself bait, shows he was capable of putting his life in danger for the larger interests of society. Griffin was selfish; but Kemp could sacrifice his own life, this was the main difference between them.
Therefore, Kemp earns the admiration of the readers for the positive qualities for grit and determination.
Both Dr Kemp and Griffin were scientists. However, the former was a good man while the latter was a bad man.
Dr Kemp was a social person and a humanitarian who devoted his time working for humanity. Although his fascination for science makes him listen to Griffin, his decency and common sense prevents Dr Kemp from joining hands with Griffin in his activities. Also, the fact that Dr Kemp made himself a bait to help in getting Griffin arrested shows that he was a selfless man.
On the other hand, Griffin was a self-centered and evil-minded man who indulged in activities that benefitted only him. He aimed at spreading a reign of terror throughout the country. Griffin also indulged in activities like killing people and stealing money from others.