Literary Essay-The Painted Door

Marriage in itself, is an act of devotion and passion to another being, and if this doesn't remain constant in matrimony, it's foundation is destined collapse upon itself. In "The Painted Door" ; a short story by Sinclair Ross, a dispirited and stagnant married couple faces their fate on an isolated farm in which they struggle to make their living with. John's wife, Ann, finds herself deeply attracted to John's friend Steven. Although Ann is at first deemed responsible for her husbands death, John is also partly responsible for his own tragic end.

Ann is partly responsible for John's death. Throughout the story, you learn that Ann isn't happy with John, doesn't truly love John, and is married to him just for the sake of being married. Due to the fact that she is much younger than John, she finds him to be " a slow unambitious man, content with his farm and cattle"(367). For this reason alone Ann should have never married John in the first place. Ann knows all along where a card game with the young and attractive Steven is leading, because as Steven carried out the daily chores, "she changed into another dress, [with her] hair rearranged, [and] a little flush of colour in her face"(367). It is apparent that she is trying to look enticing to Steven and willing to explore the boundaries of her obsolete marriage. 

John is also responsible for his own tragic ending. He is a very simple farmer, who put's all of his effort into his crops to satisfy the needs and wants of Ann, while simultaneously forgetting to enjoy life with Ann. He often finds himself over worked to show his dedication to his wife, even when the most dedication you can show to your partner is by giving your full attention and communicating with them. Ann often feels isolated and questions"why sit trying to talk with a man who never talked?"(368). John either forgot or never realized,  that in order to have a healthy marriage, strong communication must be a significant aspect in your relationship. John also says to Ann "You haven't seen anybody but me for the last two weeks"(388) and this shows that Ann is situated in a very isolated environment due to John's persistent and stubborn behaviour in trying to create a something extravagant for Ann in an area where it was almost impossible to do so.

As the redundant process of John driving the "horses in the field"(367) as Ann "milked the cows and hoed potatoes"(367) continued, Ann would inevitably rebel and finally search for life in an isolated environment. As she took action to discover something new, John proves his loyalty to come back home and experiences what he felt is the ultimate betrayal, while his hands were pressed against the painted door.