The Red Door: "The Beginning"

The Red Door: “The Beginning”

Overview

  • “The Red Door: The Beginning” is a short story written by Iain Crichton Smith.
  • It is an exploration of the themes of identity, freedom, independence, and the struggle for self-determination.

Setting

  • The narrative is set in a small Scottish village in the Isle of Lewis, a place the author was very familiar with.
  • This backdrop is used to create a sense of tradition, cultural repression, and a desire for social evolution.

Characters

  • Don, Mrs. Graham, the boy, the minister: the O’Neill family and their direct relations form the major characters.
  • Don: The protagonist, grappling with his wish to be free from traditional constraints.
  • Mrs. Graham: A representation of traditional beliefs, she struggles to understand her son’s dissatisfaction with their life.

Themes

  • Identity and Freedom: Don’s wish to escape his roots and build his own identity is symbolic of the clash between old and new ways.
  • Cultural Repression: The dense atmosphere of religion and tradition in the small community creates a sense of confinement, contributing to Don’s dissatisfaction.
  • Independence: The struggle for self-determination rallies around Don’s struggle to redefine his life away from societal norms and expectations.

Symbolism and Imagery

  • The red door: A symbol of escape, freedom, and the promise of a different world. Contrast between the colourful door and the grey village enhances this idea.
  • Hat: Represents Don’s desire to conform to societal standards because it’s used as a symbol of respect within the community.
  • The sea: Portrayed as a hostile entity, it creates an atmosphere of repression and isolation.

Writing Style

  • Crichton Smith’s writing style is simple and straightforward with few rhetorical flourishes. This enhances the starkness and isolation of the setting.
  • Use of dialect dialogue establishes authenticity and the pressures of tradition.
  • Rich in metaphors, similes, and other figurative language, providing depth to the psychological struggle of the characters.

Conclusion

  • “The Red Door: The Beginning” is an exploration of the struggle between tradition and progress, and the human desire for self-determination.
  • It stimulates critical thought on the balance between societal norms, personal desires, and the cognitive development of an individual.