The Red Door: Character: Mary
The Red Door: Character: Mary
Overview
- Mary is a significant character in “The Red Door” by Iain Crichton Smith.
- She is the protagonist’s mother, representing traditional values and unwavering faith.
Character Profile
- Mary: She is the traditional figure, representing the old ways and beliefs.
- A devout Christian, her personality is shaped by her unwavering faith and obedience towards the Church.
- Her character is peaceful, disciplined, and she sees questions of faith as straightforward, accepting the answers given to her by the Church.
Key Relationships
- Relationship with Don: She fails to comprehend her son’s restlessness and disquiet with respect to his identity and the constricting societal norms.
- Her difficulty in understanding Don’s wish for freedom and independence from deep-rooted traditions reflects the generation gap between them.
Symbolism
- Her character stands as a symbol of tranquillity, conformism, and traditional values within the text.
- Mary’s faith also represents the Church’s influence over the community and its resistance to change.
Role in the Story
- Mary serves as the standard against which Don’s discontent and desire for freedom is manifested.
- Her character allows for the exploration of themes such as cultural repression, identity crisis, tradition vs modernity, and the conflict between personal freedom and societal norms.
##Conclusion
- Mary’s character is instrumental in drawing out the profound thematic issues within the story.
- Her steadfast adherence to tradition serves as a stark contrast to Don’s rebellious spirit, thus stimulating a discussion on cultural change and adaptation in society.
- Through Mary’s character, Crichton Smith has effectively voiced the conflict between the past and present, individual desires and familial expectations.