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.