The Painted Door Lesson Plan

What sort of dynamic is established between John and Ann at the start of the story?

There is a clear tension between the couple from the start of the text. The story opens with John stating his desire to check on his elderly father before the storm rolls in. Ann's body language shows her frustration; she "moodily" goes to the window and stands with her back to him, petulantly stating "It isn't right to leave me here alone. Surely I'm as important as your father." Ann believes that she is second to John's father and her resentment of his divided loyalty is laid clear here. When John assures Ann that he's taken care of all the chores and she won't need to leave the...