The Red Door Flashcards
Relationships
He had once attempted at romance, but it was comical. It was an attempt not to live his parents life.
‘He had made overtures’
Relationships
Mary isn’t strange but she stands out from the crowd because she isn’t the same as the other villagers. He thinks of her being similar to him but she has the courage to be herself
‘There was another spinster in the village.’
The restrictions/pressure of community life on an individual
He feels he needs to because everyone else reads it. Even though he may not want to but he feels he is obliged to as that is the norm.
‘He read the Daily Record as they did.’
The restrictions/pressures of community life on an individual
The cold represents the village as it is hard and all really the same.
‘The red door stood out against the whiteness of the frost.’
The restrictions/pressures of community life on an individual
He takes a look at the door through his own eyes for the first time and realises he likes it. It stands out against the crowd of the village against the dull landscape.
‘as if it were a work of art’
Relationships
He has never had the courage to proceed with a relationship. Its not that he doesn’t want a relationship but he himself isn’t interested and doesn’t have the courage.
‘Murdo was a bachelor who had never brought himself to propose marriage to anyone.’
Personal Identity
The red door is thawing the village, heating it up. It is bringing him hope. He now knows he can be himself and do what he wants.
‘I wish to be red.’
The restrictions/pressure of community life on an individual
His red door is special, he has never seen anything else like it. He feels like his is different and everyone else is the same.
‘No-one in his experience had had a red door in the village before.’
Relationships
He doesn’t really care about the people. He is reluctant to do what they do. He doesn’t want to do what they do.
‘He would even play draughts with one of them sometimes.’
What do you write for O
Other Story
Only with the red door. 6 statements. 6 quotations with explanations about how it fits into the theme.
Relationships
He begins to realise he has always just tried to blend in with the other villagers. He has no real reason to.
‘I have always sought to hide among other people.’
Personal Identity
He is only liked because he doesn’t offend anyone. He doesn’t actually fit in.
‘He was liked by everyone since he didn’t offend anyone by gossiping.’
Personal Identity
Refers to the ocean as a book. He has an urge to rebel, he doesn’t want to be like the other villagers because he knows he isn’t.
‘The sea was like a strange volume which none could read.’
The restrictions/pressures of community life on an individual
When he was ambitious he got shot down. He was never very good at anything but when he tried he was shot down.
‘Only once had he shown enthusiasm … exclamation which had been repeated as a sign of his foolishness’
Personal Identity
The start of the change of his life, slow process, only the beginnings
‘As he stared at the door he felt strange flutterings.’
Personal Identity
This is the first of the actual change. Finally he takes the courage to make his first change.
‘I have always worn these things because everyone else does.’
Personal Identity
He finally realises he doesn’t fit into the village. He can leave whenever he wants because he is not like the rest of them.
‘Perhaps his belonging had been like the Hallowe’en mask.’
What do you write for C
Commonality
A brief summary of how each of the themes fit into each of the stories. (2 marks)
Relationships
Mary is involved with the village but only on her own terms. ‘She’ is never the same as ‘they’ the villagers.
‘She would walk by herself at night.’
The restrictions/pressures of community life on an individual
She isn’t strange but is considered different because she isn’t like them. She doesn’t care about what they think about them unlike him.
‘She … was considered slightly odd by the villagers.’
What do you write for E
Extract
How does the theme fit into the extract of home given to you. 2 quotations and points (2 marks)
