The Painted Door Summary

Imprisonment and Freedom in Relation to “The Painted Door” Canadian literature has always been heavily involved with the wild landscape and nature. In Ross’ short story “The Painted Door”, he explores the themes of imprisonment and freedom in relation to the winter landscape of the prairies. This is evident through Frye’s concept of the garrison/colonial mentality and through the environment’s influence over the Ann. Canadian literature has been distinguished by its methods in writing nature and the environment as Frye suggested, “Canadian writing expressed a ‘garrison mentality’” in which their works highlighted a sense of separation and isolation (New 217). There is a sense of survival in their works and dealing with the wilderness and

For instance, the winter weather assists in exploring the themes of imprisonment and freedom in relation to his character’s John and Ann. Throughout the story the weather plays a double role or offering to the characters and taking away from the characters.

Initially the prospect of a horrible storm makes Ann feel concerned and weary about being left alone as John ventures over to his father’s farm. In their home Ann already experiences some isolation with John as her only company and John is clearly aware of this when he suggests inviting Steven over to keep her company, “That’s what you need, Ann−someone to talk to besides me” (Ross 137). Nevertheless, the winter brings forth a new set of isolation in which Ann is completely alone with no other source of human contact for a long period of time. As an example, “It was the silence weighing upon her−the frozen silence of the bitter fields and sun-chilled sky−lurking outside as if alive…mile deep between her now and John” (137). With Ann stressing over the distance between her husband and herself, it is evident

Ann determines that the animals will not survive the night if she does not confront the storm, so like escaping a prison Ann experiences a sense of freedom. However just as the storm invigorates Ann to venture into it, it also tramples her confidence to seek freedom:

“It was as if the storm had discovered her, as if all its forces were concentrated upon her extermination…she realized in such a storm her puny insignificance. And the realization gave her new strength, stilled this time to a desperate persistence. Just for a moment the wind held her, numb and swaying in its vise; then slowly, buckled far forward, she groped her way again towards the house” (142).

Rather than being motivated and relaxed Ann lapses back into her fear and thoughts being imprisoned and alone. This behaviour is another issue mentioned in the garrison mentality, “that the more completely man sets himself against nature and her imperfections the more completely he alienates himself rom his world” (Jones 7). Thus, Ann’s sudden comparison between her and the blizzard’s force and power fuels her frame of mind in being separated from everyone