“The Enigma” involves all of the elements of a good mystery. It involves a search for aman who just disappeared one day out of the blue with no trace as to what could have happened. This essay will establish the important points of the story such as the sergeant’s role in the case,his similarities to the main character as well as his relationship with the son of the main character’sgirlfriend, and what is ultimately uncovered in the end. “When John Marcus Fielding disappeared, he therefore contravened all social andstatistical probability. Fifty-seven years old, rich, happily married with a son and two daughters;on the board of several City companies...but the most profoundly anomalous aspect of his casewas that he was also a Conservative Member of Parliament,” (Fowles 191-192). Since he wassuch a prominent figure, his disappearance came as a shock to everyone that he knew. His wifefrantically tried to trace her husbands steps by calling all of the places that he could possibly havebeen at, but nobody saw him. It was like he had just disappeared into space...he was gone. Mrs.Fielding took the disappearance to the next level and called in a personal detective. She wentthrough everything with the detective and “a few minutes later the hunt was at last placed inprofessional hands,” (Fowles 198). Mrs. Fielding’s philosophy could be summed up best in thismanner with respect to a professional search; “I have done all that I have could to find him, it is your turn.” Word spread that Fieldingwas missing and it became the big headline in the news. All sorts of stories were fabricated,including that he was trying to escape his life and that he possibly had an accomplice carry out andassist him with the disappearing act. That is where Michael Jennings came into the picture. Hecame up with his own ideas with respect to the disappearance. “He spent the day follow...
