Study Notes: the Painted Door

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English 30: The Painted Door May 1, 2012 The Painted Door: Reading Notes * Prairie and depression based story. Sinclair Ross portrays the harsh life of the farmers during extreme hardship in a hostile environment. Based on struggle to survive on powerful external forces. Considered realist through his vivid images and evocative diction. * The conversation between Ann and John, based on short conversation, there is tension and conflict. Ann doesn’t like to be alone but John feels that there is a need and duty to take care of his father. Ann, as an individual does not like being alone but she said she should be used to it. She wants companionship. * Rime = light frost * “She shivered, but did not turn. In the clear, bitter light the long white miles of prairie landscape seemed a region strangely alien to life. Even the distant farmsteads she could see served only to intensify a sense of isolation…” * “He was a slow, unambitious man, content with his farm and cattle, naively proud of Ann.” Direct characterization of John. * “…already through the house there was an encroaching chill” * Ann is attempting to stay warm physically, stay occupied by warding off the sadness, loneliness and isolation that would minimize it by painting the house. * “Binding her thoughts to it, making it a screen between her and the surrounding snow and silence.” Ann is struggling to overcome the isolation. * “The brute-tired stupid eyes he turned on her if ever she mentioned town or visiting.” * “It was something of life she wanted, not just a house and furniture; something of John, not pretty clothes when she would be too old to wear them. But John of course couldn’t understand.” * “There was in his devotion a baffling, insurmountable humility that made him feel the need of sacrifice. And when his muscles ached, when his fee dragged

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