The natural landscape and the winter storm in ” The Painted Door” serve as a metaphor for Ann’s sense of isolation

The natural landscape and the winter storm in ” The Painted Door” serve as a metaphor for Ann’s sense of isolation. John and Ann live a very simplistic lifestyle. Ann’s isolation is not just physical, but also emotionally isolated from John. The cold, bitter, gloomy, isolated environment depicts Ann’s emotional state. The isolation of the farmland is strengthened knowing that the neighboring farm is “five miles away”. The “impassable” roads and that John has to walk 15 miles to go check on his father further intensify the isolation. Her location geographically intensifies her lonesome state to the point where she feels alienated from her own husband. The “snow swept” earth visualizes the emptiness and plainness of the surroundings, much like John and Ann’s relationship. The “clear pale sun-chilled sky” compares to the simplistic mind of John with no emotion towards Ann. Almost as if they’ve had the same daily routine everyday for the past seven years.