The Painted Door

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The Painted Door by Sinclair Ross How do the individuals pursue or compromise their happiness? What brings true happiness? When a person is on their deathbed, what will they most regret? Will they say, “I wish I would have worked harder, made more money and paid down my mortgage”? Doubtful. Most people will be at peace if they have experienced love and have loved. This gives meaning and satisfaction to a person’s life – especially when one is on “death’s door.” In the short story, “The Painted Door” by Sinclair Ross, Ann and John possess vastly different perceptions about what will bring them happiness; not addressing this lack of unity creates distance and tension between them, which greatly compromises their happiness. Ann pursues happiness by trying to talk to John about her concerns, busying herself around the house, fantasizing about Steven and social events. She tells John, “It isn’t right to leave me here alone. Surely I am as important as your father.” She also takes the risk and asks him to take better care of himself, asking him to shave and not to work so much. She recognizes that her needs are not being met. “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.” When John refuses to stay home or to heed her requests, she busies herself by painting, baking and by thinking about how things might get better. She hopes for company and thinks about how much she had enjoyed dancing with Steven. Ann’s way of dealing with her internal unhappiness, is to try and change her external environment. She says to herself, “Fill up the stove and open the oven door…Then I’ll feel brighter. It’s the cold that depresses.” Ann also explains that by painting the house, trying to do something positive, she will pass the time that is painfully quiet and lonely.

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