The Painted Door
...irstly, Ann acknowledges through her epiphanies that she likes Steven. When Steven is first home, she is attracted by his physical characteristics. For instance, she explains “Steven was erect, tall, and square-shouldered while John always stood before her helpless, a kind of humility and wonderment in his attitude. And Steven now smiled on her appraisingly with the worldly-wise assurance of one for whom a woman holds neither mystery nor illusion.” Ann is making comparison between Steven and John. She is recognizing how handsome and gentle Steven is and these qualities pull her towards him. It is important to note that even today, women are attracted by those men who posses the qualities of being cool and sociable rather hardworking and dull. In addition, she realizes, “There was something strange, almost terrifying, about this Steven and his quiet, unrelenting smile; but strangest of all was the familiarity: the Steven she had never seen or encountered, and yet had always known, always expected, always waited for. (pg 708) The use of this epiphany is important because she is realizing that Steven is not the one she knew and he has changed from her perspective. “For there had always been Steven. She understood now, Seven years- almost as long as John – ever since the night they first danced together.”(pg 710) This shows why Ann had been so upset with John for seven years because she always wanted a man like Steven which she is realizing currently. Secondly, Ann realizes that years she spent with John were years of worth and dignity. Until Ann shares a relationship with Steven, she believes her life to be worthless as she considers that John does not understand her internal desires. For example; he does not shave as she would like him to, he does not dance, he is not handsome, he does work all the time at the farm, and he doesn’t even talk. However; she realizes that even the years spent with John were worthless earlier, after she sleeps with Steven, she recognizes that at least she lived proudly whereas now what she has does is completely despicable. In addition, she will live be humiliated by the society. In the era of early thirteenth century, the society was not open to adultery. Ann could be possibly pregnant and this could represent that Ann has to face the humility not only within, but also from outside the world such as her neighbours. Thus, her life will be a complete disaster. Most important of all, her life will not be worth living. For instance, earlier she worked with John because it helped him achieve his goal of having a mortgage-free house and he was proud of her. Now that John is dead, she will have to live for herself with no one taking care of her and it will be worthless because Steven will not side with her as he only wanted her for a night. It is evident in the story, when Ann describes Steven in a negative manner, “It was a quiet, sympathetic voice, yet with an undertone of insolence, a kind of mockery eve… (pg 797). “The same insolence, the same little twist of mockery and appraisal” which represents that Steven will not be a good companion for her in future. Most important of a...