The use of symbolism in the story is clearly illustrated through the depiction of the storm in the story and the hidden meaning behind it. The impending storm as John leaves for his father's farm mirrors Ann's impending emotional storm. During the day, as the storm outside becomes more and more violent, Ann's emotional state also becomes more and more distraught. The words applied to the physical storm outside, "The storm tore the walls as if to make them give way," also apply to Ann's internal state as she struggles with her loneliness, desire for excitement, and Steven's growing attractiveness. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Ann's inability to weather the emotional storm of strong feelings of isolation and loneliness is what leads her to desperation and, ultimately, her infidelity. Furthermore, the painted door is a symbol of Ann's loneliness and hope for change in her life. Ann paints the old door dull in hopes that it will take her mind off the sadness and loneliness. The unpainted door symbolizes the dullness of her life and the disinterestedness of her relationship with John. When Ann decides to paint the door, it represents her hope to renew and bring excitement into her life through a relationship with Steven. What Ann doesn't initially realize is that her relationship with Steven will only bring fleeting, superficial excitement into her life, much like how the paint will wear away and only temporarily hide the old door. Ann's isolation, loneliness, and later her hope for change led to her impulsive and desperate temptation towards Steven and, overall, caused her extreme misery when John died. Finally, Steven is a clear symbol of superficial happiness. For Ann, the young, well-groomed, well-spoken, exciting Steven is everything John is not and becomes a symbol of what she feels is missing in her life. What Ann doesn't understand is that Steven, who is truly cold, insolent, and passionless, appears to be loving, exciting, and loyal to Ann only in her moment of desperation. Although Ann's true sense of values ​​soon reasserts herself and she sees the superficiality of Steven's attractions contrasted with the genuineness of John's qualities, her realization comes too late. Ann's overcoming of Steven's temptation was clearly caused by her immense loneliness and isolation. The vastness, loneliness and harshness of the lifestyle that made John slower and duller, also made Ann unhappy, dissatisfied and desperate and ultimately defeated them both..