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 own impending emotional storm. Throughout the day, as the storm outside becomes more and more violent, Ann's emotional state becomes more and more distraught. The words applied to the outer physical storm, "The storm tore the walls as if to make them crumble," also apply to Ann's inner state as she struggles with her loneliness, her need for excitement and Steven's growing attractiveness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Ann's inability to overcome her emotional storm of strong feelings of isolation and loneliness is what leads to her despair and ultimately to his infidelity. Additionally, the painted door is a symbol of Ann's loneliness and her hope for change in her life. Ann paints the dull old door in the hope that it will make her forget her sadness and loneliness. The unpainted door symbolizes the monotony of her life and the disinterest 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 realize at first is that her relationship with Steven will only bring fleeting, superficial excitement to her life, much like how paint will wear away and only temporarily disguise the old door. Ann's isolation, loneliness, and later hope for change led to her impulsive and desperate temptation toward Steven and, overall, caused her ultimate misery upon John's death. Finally, Steven is a clear symbol of superficial happiness. To Ann, Steven, young, neat, sweet and exciting, is everything John is not and becomes a symbol of what she believes is missing in her life. What Ann doesn't realize is that Steven, who is really cold, insolent and passionless, only seems to be loving, exciting and loyal to Ann in her moment of desperation. Although Ann's true sense of values ​​soon reaffirms itself and she sees the superficiality of Steven's attractions contrasting with the authenticity of John's qualities, her realization comes too late. Ann's succumbing to Steven's temptation was clearly due to her immense loneliness and isolation. The vastness, loneliness and harshness of the lifestyle that made John slower and more boring, also made Ann unhappy, unfulfilled and desperate and ultimately defeated them both..