The Red Door: "Reflection"

The Red Door: “Reflection”

Overview

  • “The Red Door: Reflection” is another short story by Iain Crichton Smith.
  • It delves into the notions of memory, reflection, religion and reconciliation, seen through the lens of the main character.

Setting

  • The story is set against the bleak landscape of a Scottish island village, with the intensity of the countryside’s desolation mirroring the protagonist’s interior world.
  • The locale represents tradition, monotony, and the ever-present past, present even in the present.

Characters

  • Don, the protagonist, is seen reflecting on his past and the journey he made away from religious indoctrination.
  • Graham, plays a crucial role, symbolising the rigid religious tradition that Don sought to escape from.

Themes

  • Reflection and Memory: Don’s engagement with his past portrays the subjectivity of memory, and its power to impact the present.
  • Religion: The story underscores the restrictive effect of dogmatic belief systems and the liberating power of moving beyond such confines.
  • Reconciliation: The narrative focuses on Don’s journey towards reconciling with his past and accepting it as a part of his identity.

Symbolism and Imagery

  • The red door: It continues to symbolise hope and a promise of a new world, even in the reflective context of this story.
  • The sea: It is symbolic of change, the vast, unfathomable nature of life, and also as a force of isolation.
  • The bible: Represents the rigid religious tradition of the village and serves as a reminder of the protagonist’s restrictive past.

Writing Style

  • Crichton Smith’s style in this story mirrors the considered introspection of his protagonist - it is meditative, introspective, and filled with metaphor.
  • The colloquial language lends authenticity, and represents the struggle of the protagonist in breaking away from tradition.
  • The writing is enriched with symbolism, lending depth to the narrative and allowing for exploration of complex themes.

Conclusion

  • “The Red Door: Reflection” is a thought-provoking piece on the power of memory, the constraints of tradition, and the journey towards self-reconciliation.
  • This short story invites readers to think critically about their own beliefs, the power of their past, and the ever-changing nature of human identity.