The Red Door

Background

Author

Iain Crichton Smith was a Scottish author known for his works set in small, rural villages. He often explored the themes of conformity and the influence of community on individual behaviour in his stories.

Cultural Context:

"The Red Door" is set in a small Highland coastal community. The story is infused with the cultural elements of this Scottish village, including references to peat, porridge, the sea, and The Daily Record newspaper. The village's tight-knit community and its expectations play a significant role in the plot.

Summary

• The story is centred around a bachelor named Murdo living in a small Highland coastal village.
• Following Halloween night, he discovers that his once-green front door has been meticulously repainted bright red, a colour that has never appeared in the village before.
• This change in the door's colour prompts Murdo to reflect on his life, his conformity to village norms, and his lack of individuality.
• Murdo's character is revealed as a well-liked man who adheres to the village's unwritten codes, refrains from gossiping, and follows the routines and expectations of the community.
• The red door's transformation forces Murdo to question his place in the village, fearing that he will be ostracised for being different.

• His thoughts lead him to remember a failed romance with a local spinster, which ended due to her unappetizing cooking.
• As Murdo gazes at the door, he begins to connect it with a local spinster named Mary, who often wears red clothes, creates creative masks for children, and stands apart from the villagers due to her intellectual pursuits.