The Face on the Wall: Short Story Summary: 1 Minute to Grasp the Mystery and Irony of Hugh Walpole’s Modern Fable

"The Face on the Wall" is a short story by E.V. Lucas that revolves around a mysterious event narrated in a London club. The story begins with three gentlemen sharing puzzling tales. The main character, who narrates the titular story, is challenged to tell a true, improbable story. He recalls how, years before, he rented a room in London where he discovered a peculiar stain on the wall that resembled a human face. Gradually, he became obsessed with the face, believing it was of a real person whose fate somehow connected to his own.

The narrator's obsession intensifies when he sees a newspaper report about a wealthy American named Ormond Wall, who is gravely ill in a London hotel. The resemblance between the name and the image on his wall cannot be ignored. When Ormond Wall dies, the face on the narrator's wall disappears simultaneously, deepening the mystery. Returning to the present, the storyteller reveals that the story was entirely fictitious, to highlight how easily stories—even those without proof—can feel true, thereby underscoring the power of storytelling and belief.

Tips 1:

If you want to visually convey emotion and intrigue in a room—like the eerie effect of a human-like stain in the story—you can use intentional wall treatments (murals, textured painting, or spotlighting on features in the space) to craft focal points. As someone who sees decor through a designer’s lens, I recommend experimenting with such features using a DIY room decor tool. It lets you mock-up accent walls and see how bold details transform the atmosphere before you commit to anything permanent.

FAQ

Q: Who wrote "The Face on the Wall"?

A: The story was written by E.V. Lucas.

Q: What is the main theme of "The Face on the Wall"?

A: The story explores the nature of belief, coincidence, and the power of storytelling to blur fact and fiction.

Q: What is the significance of the face on the wall?

A: The face symbolizes obsession and suggests a mysterious connection between unrelated events.

Q: Is "The Face on the Wall" based on a true story?

A: No, the narrator reveals at the end that his story is entirely fictitious.

Q: Why is "The Face on the Wall" considered a twist ending?

A: Because the narrator builds suspense around a supposedly true event, only to reveal it was fabricated, surprising readers and the audience in the story alike.