The Red Door

Characters

Murdo

Age and Background

Murdo is a 46-year-old bachelor who has spent most of his adult life working on the land, with a brief stint on a fishing boat.

Conformity and Lack of Individuality

Initially, Murdo appears unremarkable, lacking self-confidence and living a solitary and frugal life. He has never done anything out of the ordinary. His existence revolves around conforming to the village's unspoken rules and codes, right down to reading the same newspaper and wearing the same clothes.

Romantic Setbacks

Murdo's unmarried status is not by choice but due to shyness and a shortage of eligible women in the village. A failed romance with a spinster ended because of an unpleasant meal she prepared, leading Murdo to retreat to his bachelorhood.

Hidden Dreams and Aspirations

Despite his outwardly ordinary life, Murdo harbours hidden dreams and aspirations. The newly painted red door prompts him to reevaluate his life and realise its poverty.

Loneliness and Repression

Murdo feels increasingly repressed and suffocated in the stifling village, sensing that there is more to life than the village can offer. He demonstrates romantic sensibilities and a poetic side, suggesting he is different from the other villagers.

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Short Stories

Awakening and Transformation

As Murdo confronts the unfulfilling nature of his life, he experiences an epiphany, realising he has always hidden among others and agreed to conform to their wishes. This moment prompts him to take action and escape the shackles of conformity.

Desire for Change

Murdo begins to question his identity, wondering if he would like the newly painted door so much if he were a true villager. He no longer desires conformity and is drawn towards a new path, symbolised by the red door and his attraction to Mary.

New Beginning

In the uplifting conclusion, Murdo knocks on Mary's door, marking the start of a more enriching and liberated chapter in his life.

The Villagers

Small-Minded Attitudes

The villagers represent negative, closed-minded attitudes commonly associated with small, rural communities. They uphold the status quo and adhere to unspoken codes and values, frowning upon any form of difference or individuality.

Conformity and Repression

Murdo's concerns about the villagers' reaction to his red door highlight the extent to which he has assimilated into their way of life. He has sacrificed his personal dreams and ambitions to conform to their expectations.

Reflection of Larger Society

Crichton Smith uses the village as a reflection of wider society, emphasising the conflict between individual desires and societal norms.

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Short Stories

Murdo as the Everyman

On a broader scale, Murdo serves as a representation of the everyman, symbolising the perpetual struggle between conforming to societal expectations and seeking personal fulfilment.

Mary

Mary's Influence

Mary is inferred to be the one responsible for painting Murdo's red door. Clues in the story suggest her involvement, such as her habit of wearing red and her creative activities like painting children's masks.

Nonconformity

Mary represents those who refuse to conform to the small-minded attitudes prevalent in the village. She is unpopular for not gossiping and misunderstood for her education and book-reading.

Independence

Mary is proud, distant, and independent. She does not seek approval or try to fit in with the villagers, maintaining her own unique identity.

Symbolism of Red

Mary's choice of red, both for the door and her clothing, symbolises a break from the village's limited imagination. Most doors in the village are drab, but Mary's red door represents passion and individuality.

Pleasure and Passion

The red door and Mary symbolise pleasure and passion, qualities missing from Murdo's life. Her influence prompts Murdo to seek a more fulfilling existence, breaking free from conformity.

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Short Stories

Potential for Change

Mary's presence in the story signifies the potential for change and liberation, pushing Murdo to discover a more authentic version of himself.