Isolation In The Painted Door

In Ross’ work, both Ann and Vickers share the common attributes of isolation; which creates deaths in their lives. Specifically, in “The Painted Door” Ann’s isolation leads to an adultery and a death of a loved one. When Steven comes to keep Ann company, her unsatisfied feelings for John, cause her to show interest in Steven, leading to an affair. While John is not present in Ann’s life, she turns to Steven when left alone: “She [is] John’s wife -she [knows]- but also she [knows] that Steven standing here was different from John” (Ross 297). Evidently, isolation causes Ann to make wrong decisions. Ross uses juxtaposition between John and Steven. This leads the reader to believe Ann tries to is not satisfied, with John and she will be satisfied with Steven. Therefore, resulting in the affair. Lastly, the end results of Ann having the affair with Steven due to isolation, brings about John’s death. John finally makes it home after fighting the storm to a sight of
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John is so devastated and leaves because he believes Ann will be happier without him. John tries to return back to his father’s house, but gets stuck in the storm. He freezes, standing up against a wire. ( fix intro to quote) oss’ proves this vent is a result of isolation by “On the palm... was a little smear of paint” (Ross 304). Obviously, the reader can infer that John comes home and sees Ann and Steven in bed together because he has paint on his hand. Ann painted the door to the bedroom earlier, which relates to his death because John leaves after seeing Steven and Ann in bed. Isolation is the root cause of John’s death. The outcome of Ann’s isolation left her with a dreadful mistake, unforgetting epiphany and a heartbreaking death.

Comparable to Ann, in “One’s A Heifer” Vickers’ isolation brings about an unstable mental state, violent tendencies and an unnecessary death.