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25 pages • 50 minutes read
Sinclair RossThe Painted Door
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1941A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Ann
Ann is the protagonist of “The Painted Door.” The point of view in the work is third-person limited, and Ann is the character whose thoughts are known to the reader in the narration. Isolation and Loneliness drive her inner conflict. Ann’s dislike of being alone in the farmhouse is established from the beginning of the story, and by the end of the narrative, her fear of being left alone is realized. In her desperation for human connection, she seeks intimacy with Steven, but her actions ultimately drive John to his death.
Ann is a dynamic character who changes significantly throughout the narrative. She tries to suppress her dissatisfaction by keeping herself busy in the house, but her restless thoughts dominate the story. Her fear of Aging and the Passage of Time is reflected in her consciousness of the “idiot” clock ticking and her vision of year after unchanging year. Ann also underlines the theme of Temptation and Betrayal when she sleeps with Steven. Afterward, she experiences intense guilt and remorse, exacerbated by what she believes is a dream of John’s devastated reaction. In an epiphany, she sees that her encounter with Steven was meaningless and affirms that John is the man for her. This moment marks a pivotal point in her development, as she at last feels satisfied with her marriage and future with John. Anne’s character arc also parallels the winter storm: Her troubled thoughts, followed by her moment of clarity, are mirrored by the blizzard, which clears up by morning.
John
John, Ann’s husband of seven years, is fiercely loyal to the people he cares about. His selflessness is indicated in his decision to check on his elderly father in the bad weather while also ensuring that Ann is safe and warm and has company. John trusts Ann and seems to see the best in people.
John is a hardworking man who is determined to live within his means, which he has achieved by taking on all the farm work alone and buying a small house with no mortgage. Unlike Ann, he appears to be a static character, as he is content with his lifestyle. A small but telling detail about his personality is that he refuses to shave in cold weather, demonstrating his concern with practicality over superficial appearances.
John is described in physically unattractive terms as “thickset, heavy-jowled, and stooped” (11). However, Ann’s assertion that he is a “good man” is illustrated in his actions. Throughout the story, Ann repeats that John always makes it home to her; his devotion and reliability are defining characteristics. The discovery of John’s frozen body at the end of the narrative demonstrates that, even in the monumental blizzard, he was true to his word. The fresh paint on John’s palm indicates his knowledge of Ann’s betrayal before he died, and his decision to go back outside to freeze to death indicates a change in his character, as his emotional turmoil overwhelms all practical concerns.
Steven
Steven is John and Ann’s neighbor. It is implied that they are all friendly with each other when John says that he will invite him over to play cards. Similarly, Ann reflects on how she and Steven danced together one night seven years earlier at a community event. Aside from those few details of their history together, the narrative reveals little of Steven’s backstory. He is young and handsome, and for Ann, he represents many things that John is not.
Steven and John are character foils. Steven’s arrogance and air of entitlement contrast with John’s humble manner and desire to please Ann. Their difference in character is highlighted by Ann’s suspicion that Steven will not attempt the mile’s journey from his house to visit, while, initially, she does not doubt that John will return after traveling a much longer distance. When Steven arrives at Ann’s house, he comforts her but displays amusement at her fear. Steven’s “insolent” manner demonstrates that he expects something will happen between him and Ann. She succumbs to the temptation of Steven’s handsome, “boy-like” looks, persuaded by his insistence that John will not return in the storm. After they have slept together, Ann notes that he looks “conscience-less.” This assessment shows that Steven is a flat character who does not grow or change in any significant way during the story.
