The Wanderer

A wanderer arrives at a couple's home, appearing weak and weary from his travels. The wife, feeling compassion, insists he stay and care for him. As time passes, the wanderer becomes a dominant presence in their lives, subtly taking control and demanding their service. The husband, initially the master of the house, finds himself increasingly subservient to the stranger, who claims possessions and influences the couple's dynamics. The husband grows suspicious and distressed, particularly as he notices the affection his wife shows the wanderer. He feels threatened by the stranger's hold over her and their home. In a moment of confrontation, he tests their bond, seeking to uncover the truth of his wife's feelings. Her response, however, is ambiguous and playful, leaving the husband in turmoil over the nature of their relationship and the wanderer's impact on their lives. The narrative explores themes of power dynamics, jealousy, and the fragility of love, as the wanderer's presence disrupts the couple's once stable existence. The husband's internal struggle and the wife's seemingly innocent interactions with the wanderer create tension, leading to questions about loyalty and the nature of affection. The story culminates in a reflection on the consequences of allowing an outsider to infiltrate the sanctity of home and relationships.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romance · 1,547 words

First lines

1. A HYMN OF EMPIRE

(Coronation Year, 1911)

What this Textopian page supports

The Wanderer is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1910 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Date: 1910 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Drama
• Length: 1,547 words
• Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Wanderer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Wanderer?
• How does this short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

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Genres

• Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
• Literary Fiction — The themes explore complex human emotions and relationships, typical of literary fiction.
• Romance — The narrative involves romantic elements, particularly the dynamics between the narrator, his wife, and the stranger.
• Fantasy — The presence of a mysterious wanderer with an unknown origin introduces fantastical elements.

Tags

adventure · mystery · exploration · journey · discovery · suspense · historical · fiction · narrative · character development · philosophy · nature

More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• The Parish Magazine (1914)
• The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
• The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
• The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
• The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
• The Disintegration Machine (1927)
• The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
• The Brown Hand (1914)
• All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle