The Painted Door

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.