The Sphinx Without a Secret
The narrative unfolds through a conversation between two friends, one of whom, Lord Murchison, reveals his obsession with a mysterious woman named Lady Alroy. The story begins with a chance encounter in Paris, where Murchison expresses his confusion about women and hints at a secret in his life. Intrigued, the narrator encourages him to share his story. Murchison recounts his first sighting of Lady Alroy from a yellow brougham in Bond Street, which captivates him. After a series of encounters, he learns she is a widow and becomes infatuated with her enigmatic presence. Despite their growing relationship, Lady Alroy maintains an air of secrecy, often evading direct questions about her life. As Murchison's feelings deepen, he becomes increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency. He decides to propose to her, but his attempts to uncover her mystery lead him to follow her one day, where he discovers her entering a house in a shabby street. This revelation intensifies his desire to understand her, but when he confronts her about it, she denies any wrongdoing, insisting there is nothing to reveal. Their relationship deteriorates after a heated argument, and Murchison, overwhelmed by heartbreak, retreats from society. He later learns of Lady Alroy's sudden death from pneumonia, which leaves him in despair. In his quest for closure, he visits the house where she had been staying, only to find that she had not been meeting anyone; instead, she had been living a solitary life, indulging in her passion for mystery. The story concludes with the narrator suggesting that Lady Alroy was simply a woman who enjoyed the allure of secrecy without any real substance behind it. Murchison is left to ponder the nature of her character, questioning whether her enigmatic persona was a façade or a genuine aspect of her identity. The tale explores themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of human relationships, ultimately revealing that the allure of mystery can often be an illusion.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1907 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance · 2,604 words
First lines
One afternoon I was sitting outside the Café de la Paix, watching the splendour and shabbiness of Parisian life, and wondering over my vermouth at the strange panorama of pride and poverty that was passing before me, when I heard someone call my name. I turned round, and saw Lord Murchison. We had not met since we had been at college together, nearly ten years before, so I was delighted to come across him again, and we shook hands warmly. At Oxford we had been great friends. I had liked him immensely, he was so handsome, so high-spirited, and so honourable. We used to say of him that he would be the best of fellows, if he did not always speak the truth, but I think we really admired him all the more for his frankness. I found him a good deal changed. He looked anxious and puzzled, and seemed to be in doubt about something. I felt it could not be modern scepticism, for Murchison was the stoutest of Tories, and believed in the Pentateuch as firmly as he believed in the House of Peers; so I concluded that it was a woman, and asked him if he was married yet.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sphinx Without a Secret is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oscar Wilde, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Drama
- Length: 2,604 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Sphinx Without a Secret by Oscar Wilde
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Sphinx Without a Secret?
- How does this short story by Oscar Wilde fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of love, mystery, and human psychology, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological motivations and emotional turmoil of the characters, particularly regarding love and secrecy.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic feelings and relationships, particularly the protagonist's infatuation with Lady Alroy.
- Mystery — The narrative is driven by the mystery surrounding Lady Alroy's life and the protagonist's quest to uncover it.
Tags
Mystery · Philosophy · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Intellectual Humor · Wit · Irony · Absurdity · Existentialism