The Red Door Flashcards
(36 cards)
Key Quotation 1:
“He was liked by everybody since he didn’t offend anyone by gossiping”
Key Quotation 1: Analysis
Most people gossip, hypocrits, themselves but don’t like others who do therefore Murdo doesn’t involve himself in gossip or village politics.
Key Quotation 2:
“the mask of senility, the mask of a wildcat, the mask of a spaceman on the face of a little boy whom he could swear he knew”
Key Quotation 2: Analysis
The masks draw attention to Marys kindness as she made them however they are also symbolic as the “senility” reminds Murdo he’s growing old, the “wildcat” hints at passion and freedom and the “spaceman” hints at the prospect of travel and adventure.
Key Quotation 3:
“Murdo had never in his life done anything unusual.”
“as they did” - “as they did”
Key Quotation 3: Analysis
The words “never done anything unusual” sums up the routine and the lack of ambition which has characterized Murdo’s life so far.
WC of “never” sounds very blunt and final which makes the reader feel sympathetic and frustration because he hasn’t been leading his life to its fullest potential.
Furthermore, the repetition of “as they did” highlights how Murdo conform and tries to blend in with the other villagers as much as possible to avoid being disliked.
Key Quotation 4:
“Nevertheless there were times when he felt that there was more to life than that.”
Key Quotation 4: Analysis
Highlights that Murdo wants to lead a more fulfilling life and wants to escape from the same repetitive routine however can only do so by his own choice.
Key Quotation 5:
“I have nothing to get up for really. I could if I liked stay in bed all day and all night and none would notice the difference.”
Key Quotation 5: Analysis
Murdo is shown to be apathetic he feels that his life has no meaning and there’s no point in him getting up as none up the other villagers are interested enough in him to acknowledge his absence.
Emphasized by the parallel structure of “all day” and “all night”.
Key Quotation 6:
“while his father and mother dreamed their way towards death”
Key Quotation 6: Analysis
The alliteration of the letter d makes the statement stand out and shocks the reader suggesting Murdo’s parents had dreams but never fulfilled them most likely due to the community limiting their horizons.
Key Quotation 7:
“She dressed in red clothes and was seen pottering vaguely about during the day and sometimes during the night as well.”
Key Quotation 7: Analysis
The colour “red” symbolizes passion and anger Mary walks around the village at night by herself which makes her standout (she’s a single woman).
Key Quotation 8:
“rusty pipes like snakes”
“a work of art”
Key Quotation 8: Analysis
Imagery of the snakes just as serpents are linked to evil so too do the pipes in his house which are long and thin appearing snake like looking threatening and unpleasant.
WC of “rusty” suggests old traditional way of life which Murdo is prepared to leave behind.
On the contrast Murdos newly painted door is described using the metaphor “a work of art” just as a work of art is a creative object of beauty and worthy of admiration so too is Murdos newly painted door.
Key Quotation 9:
“it seemed to express something in himself which had been deeply buried for years”
Key Quotation 9: Analysis
Metaphor of “deeply buried” suggests that Murdo’s true nature has almost died after being continuously repressed and suffocated by village life.
The WC of “for years” also reminds us that he has been unfulfilled for a very long time.
Key Quotation 10:
“I have never’, he thought with wonder, ‘been myself.’”
Key Quotation 10: Analysis
Marks an apifiny Murdo realises his entire life has been spent trying to fit into the community and their ideal perception of how you should appear.
He resents the fact that he has never had the courage to wear a coloured waist coast and shun the bleak dull boring wellingtons and waist coat which he currently wears.
Repetition of “colour” highlights he wants brightness and positivity into his life.
Murdo is prepared to break free from the restrictions which have governed his life in the village for so long.
Key Quotation 11:
“The door seemed to him to have its own courage.”
Key Quotation 11: Analysis
Personification of the door makes it seem alive just as a human can summon bravery from within so too the red door appears to be facing the future bravely.
Shines out brightly against the bland whiteness.
Inspires Murdo to seize the courage to approach Mary and embrace a new life.
Key Quotation 12:
“He didn’t like, he didn’t like, he didn’t like.”
Key Quotation 12: Analysis
The triple repetitive structure here emphasizes the many aspects of village like which affect Murdo and make him feel unhappy yet up until now he has put up with all these negatives not brave enough to reject societies conformity and assert his individuality.
