Ann from “The Painted Door” by Sinclair Ross Essay

Because of Johns lack of communication skills, Ann feels isolated psychologically and emotionally, and as a result, she is seen by the reader as a woman in despair seeking companionship during the Great Depression.Ann is dutiful and submissive, so typical of the women of the 30s, as it is shown when she claimed, Plenty to eat plenty of wood to keep me warm what more could a woman ask for?(p.48) even though it is clearly the opposite of what she sincerely wants. She says to John I know. Its just that sometimes when youre away I get lonely the hesitation in this particular sentence explains her herculean desire to have someone to talk to, yet is afraid of Johns response.But we think Ann is more than just what she appears to be. There are moments where her rebellious personality is shown, such as when she went out of the house during the blizzard to feed the animals when John had plainly stated to her, Everythings fed and watered, and Ill see that at that places plenty of wood in. This depicts Anns willingness to go so far as to distract herself from her loneliness. Also, the way she beseeches John to stay and the way she reacted, She glanced up sharply, consequently busied herself clearing the table (pg49) at the mention of a visit by Steven shows that she presents some good intuition and intellect as to what may happen.One passel argue that Ann is unconsciously selfish and even ungrateful, for John is constantly trying to please her by working continuous hours without aids of others. She also has a roof over her head and food in her tummy that so many lacked during that era, and yet, she gives hints that she is highly unsatisfied of her current situation and commits adultery. However, the lack of companionship, increased by the aridity of the surroundings in which the character lives in, makes Ann desperate for anything that would get her out of her miserable existence. As we know, humans are extreme social creatures, and when Steven arrived on her door steps with his, quote, still-boyish face (pg57) and his lips worn-out in a little smile that was too insolent, but at the same time companionable(pg57) , Ann forgets allrules and drops her mental barrier, giving into what she desires the most companionship.So in conclusion, we feel that Ann is a woman with an extremely good heart, but is misguided into doing wrong actions by the isolation and loneliness in which her husband had at last caused.