The Gioconda Smile is a short story by Aldous Huxley first published in 1921 and later included in his collection Mortal Coils. The story is a psychological drama centered on Henry Hutton, a cultivated and outwardly respectable man trapped in an unhappy marriage. When his wife dies under suspicious circumstances, his relationship with a devoted admirer seems to promise a new beginning. However, Huxley gradually reveals layers of irony, ambiguity, and moral complexity, leading to an unsettling conclusion.
Rather than focusing on action, the story explores themes of emotional detachment, manipulation, self-deception, and the contrast between social appearances and hidden motives. The title alludes to the enigmatic smile of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, symbolizing ambiguity and concealed intentions.
Although not as famous as Huxley’s later novels, the story was well received and adapted for television, and it remains admired for its sharp psychological insight and subtle, ironic style.
Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) was an English writer, essayist, and intellectual best known for his novel Brave New World (1932). Born into a distinguished family of scientists and scholars, Huxley was educated at Eton and later at Balliol College, Oxford. A serious eye illness in his youth partially impaired his vision, preventing him from pursuing a scientific career, which influenced his turn toward literature.
Huxley became one of the leading literary voices of the 20th century, known for his sharp wit, intellectual depth, and exploration of social, philosophical, and ethical issues. His works range from satirical novels to essays on science, politics, mysticism, and human consciousness. Later in life, he moved to the United States and developed a strong interest in spirituality and Eastern philosophy.
Huxley’s writing continues to be widely read and discussed, particularly for its prescient reflections on technology, society, and human freedom.
Principal Characters
• Mr. Henry Hutton, a wealthy, philandering English landowner
• Mrs. Hutton, his invalid wife
• Doris, his young mistress
• Dr. Libbard, his family physician
• Janet Spence, an unmarried woman in her late thirties who is infatuated with
Hutton
Supporting documentation for preparing the meeting
1. We do encourage you to first read the story as it was written and then go on to watch the magnificent black-and-white movie. It was written in 1921 and adapted into a film in 1948. What differences could you spot? Is it better the story or the movie?
2. The beauty of reading is that it allows you to plunge into a different place, a different time or age. What do you learn about the society in the 1920’s?
3. Do you think Mr Hutton is fed up with his wife’s condition? Can you comment on this character?
4. What do you think of Janet Spence?
5. What role does the family doctor play in the plot?
6. What about Doris? Could she be held responsible for what happened?
7. Comment on the ending. Do you think it served Mr Hutton right?
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