Isolation In The Painted Door By Sinclair Ross

The Canadian Prairies are notorious for its winter’s harsh, unforgiving climate. They represent not only humankind’s perseverance for survival, but unrelenting isolation, and the despair that can follow. In “The Painted Door” by Sinclair Ross, a discontent housewife gives into temptation after being left alone by her husband. A person will resist isolation, because when left alone, they will give in to temptatious thoughts, affecting their view on their relationships. Physical solitude will dictate if an individual choose to give into temptation. An individual’s independent reflection after giving into temptation will reveal their true feelings, making them decide on what they really want. Ross develops the idea that isolation will influence how one will
Ann attempts to keep herself busy, to do “something to stave off the gathering cold and loneliness.” Even though she is left alone, Ann tries to stay mentally occupied, so that she does not have to feel alone. For years she tolerates being away from her husband, but now the emotional consequences are slowly eating at her. She’s so desperate for human connection, she resorts to saying “That’s all I need, someone to talk to.” After years of discontentment and life used to being social and happy, she now resorts to relying on basic social conventions to keep her sane. When she looks at her old life juxtaposed with her current isolation, she realizes that the drastic change of lifestyle made her resent her life. She believes if she is no longer emotional secluded, she does not have to face her temptations thoughts, painting the door even though the paint cannot stick in the winter. She realizes that her limit is reaching its pick, and if she does not remain to busy to fight off accepting her isolation, her temptations thoughts will come and she