The Invisible Man · Character

Mr. Marvel

A shabby, terrified tramp who becomes the invisible man's unwilling accomplice, caught between fear of his unseen master and his own cowardly instincts.

supporting

Also known as Marvel, Mr. Thomas Marvel, Thomas Marvel, Tom

First appearance: Mr. Thomas Marvel

As a supporting figure in The Invisible Man, Mr. Marvel is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A tramp with a copious, flexible visage and a beard of bristling eccentricity; he is initially bewildered and terrified by the Invisible Man's appearance and coercion.

In the storyMr. Thomas MarvelOpen this moment free

See Mr. Marvel in Mr. Thomas Marvel Book page

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With Griffin (psychological): Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. Marvel into being his unwilling accomplice, using threats and intimidation to control him. With Dr. Kemp (professional): Kemp interrogates and collaborates with Mr. Marvel to track down Griffin, a tense alliance built on mutual fear of the invisible man. With Griffin (psychological): Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. Marvel into being his unwilling accomplice, using threats and intimidation to control him.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mr. Marvel sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Marvel in Mr. Thomas Marvel

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Mr. Marvel sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Professional
Other

Character groups

Primary antagonists and allies
Protagonist
Iping townspeople and authorities

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological turning point where the Invisible Man f…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Griffin
psychological · negative
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. How this plays out →
Dr. Kemp
professional · ambivalent
Griffin
psychological · negative
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. How this plays out →
Dr. Kemp
professional · ambivalent
Griffin
psychological · negative
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. How this plays out →

Griffin
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. Marvel into being his unwilling accomplice, using threats and intimidation to control him.
Dr. Kemp
Kemp interrogates and collaborates with Mr. Marvel to track down Griffin, a tense alliance built on mutual fear of the invisible man.
Griffin
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. Marvel into being his unwilling accomplice, using threats and intimidation to control him.
Dr. Kemp
Kemp interrogates and collaborates with Mr. Marvel to track down Griffin, a tense alliance built on mutual fear of the invisible man.
Griffin
Griffin bullies and coerces the tramp Mr. Marvel into being his unwilling accomplice, using threats and intimidation to control him.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Marvel in Mr. Thomas Marvel

In the story

Mr. Marvel appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. Thomas Marvel
A tramp with a copious, flexible visage and a beard of bristling eccentricity; he is initially bewildered and terrified by the Invisible Man's appearance and coercion.
X: Mr. Marvel’s Visit to Iping
Enters Iping in a state of agitation, behaves furtively, and steals a bundle and books from the Coach and Horses before fleeing.
In the Coach and Horses
Enters the parlour briefly, pretending to be a sailor, then leaves.
At Port Stowe
Sits nervously outside an inn in Port Stowe with stolen books and money, trying to evade suspicion while being controlled by the invisible Griffin.
XV: The Man Who Was Running
The fugitive running in terror down the hill, his pockets chinking with stolen goods, spreading panic as he warns of the Invisible Man.
In the Jolly Cricketers
Bursts into the inn in terror, clutching books, begging for help and hiding from the Invisible Man.
The Invisible Man Sleeps
Mentioned in the newspaper account as having been forced to accompany the Invisible Man for twenty-four hours.
The Hunting of the Invisible Man
Mentioned as the tramp who may have Griffin's books of notes.
The Siege of Kemp's House
Not present in this chapter.
Epilogue
Now the landlord of the inn near Port Stowe, he secretly possesses the three manuscript books and studies them in private.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Marvel unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Marvel in Mr. Thomas Marvel