The Painted Door

“When at last she turned from the window there was a brooding stillness in her face as if she had recognized this mastery of snow and cold. It troubled John.”

This quote illustrates Ann’s emotional coldness. The description suggests that Ann has become part of the frozen landscape. Instead of articulating her loneliness to John, she is shut off and distant. This is an example of how Ann’s emotional state is frequently echoed in the story’s setting and weather conditions.

“He was a slow, unambitious man, content with his farm and cattle, naïvely proud of Ann. He had been bewildered by it once, her caring for a dull-witted fellow like him; then assured at last of her affection he had relaxed against it gratefully, unsuspecting it might ever be less constant than his own.”

This passage highlights John’s character, particularly his hardworking and somewhat simple nature. The description of his gratitude for Ann’s affection suggests an imbalance in their relationship. The implication that Ann’s love is “less constant” foreshadows her betrayal of John.

“It was the silence weighing upon her—the frozen silence of the bitter fields and sun-chilled sky—lurking outside as if alive, relentlessly in wait, mile-deep between her now and John.”

In this quote, silence is represented as an integral part of the prairie, taking on human-like qualities. The literary device of pathetic fallacy is used as the landscape is personified. The image of silence “lurking […] relentlessly in wait” creates a sinister atmosphere, underscoring the theme of Isolation and Loneliness.

“The frost in the walls on a day like this would crack and peel it as it dried, but she needed something to keep her hands occupied, something to stave off the gathering cold and loneliness.”

Here, the symbol of paint is introduced. By painting the woodwork, Ann attempts to keep loneliness at bay and transform the house. At the same time, she knows that her efforts to effect change are futile since the paint will “crack and peel” in the cold.

“Suddenly her movements became precise, deliberate, her posture self-conscious, as if someone had entered the room and were watching her. It was the silence again, aggressive, hovering. The fire spit and crackled at it. Still it was there. ‘I’m a fool,’ she repeated. ‘All farmers’ wives have to stay alone. I mustn’t give in this way. I mustn’t brood. A few hours now and they’ll be here.’”

This passage highlights Ann’s internal conflict as she vacillates between dissatisfaction and accepting her current circumstances. The symbol of fire comes into play, as the crackling flames suggest the strong emotions she is trying to suppress. Again, silence is ominously characterized as “aggressive” and “hovering.”

“But now, alone with herself in the winter silence, she saw spring for what it really was. This spring—next spring—all the springs and summers still to come. While they grew old, while their bodies warped, while their minds kept shrivelling dry and empty like their lives.”

This excerpt reveals Ann’s anxiety about Aging and the Passage of Time. She tries to think of spring as an optimistic symbol of youth and new beginnings. However, the image reminds her of the inevitable cycle of the seasons, leading her to picture a life that never changes as she ages with John. The passage is also ironic since John does not live to grow old.

“She was young still, eager for excitement and distractions; and John’s steadfastness rebuked her vanity, made her complaints seem weak and trivial.”

This passage reveals the opposing character traits of John and Ann. Ann wants to enjoy life, but John’s very nature makes her feel shallow for entertaining these desires.

“But she felt little dread or uneasiness at the prospect of spending the night alone. It was the first time she had been left like this on her own resources, and her reaction, now that she could face and appraise her situation calmly, was gradually to feel it a kind of adventure and responsibility. It stimulated her. Before nightfall she must go to the stable and feed everything. Wrap up in some of John's clothes—take a ball of string in her hand, one end tied to the door, so that no matter how blinding the storm she could at least find her way back to the house. She had heard of people having to do that. It appealed to her now because suddenly it made life dramatic.”

A different side to Ann’s character is revealed in this passage as she takes positive action instead of waiting for John to return. However, her new sense of agency is quickly subdued as the intensity of the storm overcomes her. Human efforts seem futile in the harsh landscape.

“But the storm had unnerved her, and suddenly at the assurance of his touch and voice the fear that had been gripping her gave way to a hysteria of relief.”

This excerpt gives the reader insight as to why Ann succumbs to temptation with Steven. Her loneliness and fear of the storm prompt overwhelming relief at the comforting presence of another person.

“For there had always been Steven.”

This quote contrasts with Ann’s final decision that John is the right man for her. It illustrates her turmoil as, within the course of one night, she changes her mind several times. In a moment of honesty, Ann acknowledges that her attraction to Steven has impacted her marriage from the start.

“Until suddenly as she lay staring up at him a gleam of light revealed his face. And in it was not a trace of threat or anger—only calm, and stone like hopelessness.”

At first, Ann believes that she is dreaming when she sees John’s face in the darkness. She interprets this image as a manifestation of her guilty conscience. However, the ending of the story calls that belief into question, suggesting that John was really present. The quote shows John’s devastation and hopelessness in discovering his wife’s betrayal.

“I was hard now to understand how she could have so deceived herself—how a moment of passion could have quieted within her not only conscience, but reason and discretion too. John always came.”

Several times in the narrative, Ann reiterates that John will always come for her. This quote highlights her regret after sleeping with Steven as she recognizes John’s loyalty and dependability.

“John was the man. With him lay all the future.”

While Ann’s recommitment to John is sincere, this quote becomes ironic in the context of the story’s conclusion. The fact that it is juxtaposed with John’s death intensifies the gap between Ann’s expectations of how her life will go and the reality.