«The door in the wall»

« The story under analysis, entitled «The door in the wall», was written by a famous English novelist and short story writer Herbert Wells.

The door in the wall tells the story of Lionel Wallace, a successful politician, who recounts his lifelong obsession with a mysterious green door that he first discovered as a child.

Behind the door lay a magical garden filled with beauty, joy, and peace.

Though he encountered the door several times throughout his life, he always turned away due to his professional obligations.

His final pursuit of the door leads to his untimely death, leaving the narrator and the reader to question whether the garden was real or a figment of his imagination. So, we have one main character: Lionel Wallace. Internal conflict dominates as Lionel wrestles with his longing for the garden and his commitment to his career.

He admits, “I hesitated… I turned away.

It was as if I could not face losing the opportunity of the moment for a possible happiness.” There is also a subtle external conflict between Lionel and the expectations of society, which drives him to prioritize work over personal fulfillment. The story is told by a first-person narrator who is a minor character and an observer of Lionel’s life.

This narrative choice enhances the mystery, as the narrator acknowledges his skepticism: “He was my friend, yet even now I cannot tell whether to believe in the garden.” The frame narrative allows the story to be told retrospectively through the perspective of Lionel’s friend, adding a layer of ambiguity. Flashbacks detail Lionel’s childhood encounter with the garden and subsequent sightings of the door, creating a reflective and fragmented structure. The Atmosphere of the story is reflective and melancholic, capturing Lionel’s sense of loss and regret. Alternates between the enchanting, dreamlike quality of the garden and the oppressive mundanity of Lionel’s adult life. Situational irony lies in Lionel’s ultimate fate—despite his success, his life ends in tragedy because he ignored the door when it mattered most. Lionel Wallace is a complex protagonist, torn between ambition and longing.

His reflective nature is evident when he laments, “I have been so busy with the things that matter least.” The narrator describes Lionel as “a man of great position and promise.” Lionel Wallace is a complex and controversial character whose appearance and character are closely linked to his inner experiences and life choices.

Lionel is presented as a middle-aged man.

His appearance reflects a stressful lifestyle: tired eyes, a haggard face, perhaps a slightly stooped posture, indicating the heavy burden of his internal conflicts.

He has an intelligent but melancholic expression.

His face may seem spiritual, but it is marked by traces of doubt and anxiety.

Lionel is probably well-groomed, as is customary for a man of his social status.

He dresses elegantly and neatly, as befits his position in society, but without excessive pretentiousness.

Perhaps his style is restrained and strict, reflecting his desire for professionalism.

Lionel is smart, ambitious and focused on his career.

He achieved great success in society, probably due to his talents and hard.... »