In "The Door," E.B. White presents a simple yet poignant meditation on the passage of time and the impermanence of life. Through the narrator's reflection on a door that has stood on his property for many years, White evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the door serves as a symbol for the passing of time and the memories that are left behind.
The door is described as "old" and "weathered," with "two panes of glass, one of them cracked," which immediately sets the stage for the theme of decay and the passing of time. The door is not just a physical object, but also a metaphor for the narrator's own life, as he reflects on the changes that have occurred over the years. The narrator remembers when the door was new and "strong and proud," standing "firmly on its hinges" and serving as a "barrier between the outside world and the safety and security of the home."
As the years have passed, however, the door has become worn and weathered, its paint chipped and faded. The narrator notes that "the door had stood there so long, it seemed as if it were a part of the house itself," suggesting that the door has become an integral and inseparable part of the narrator's life. The door's physical deterioration reflects the narrator's own sense of loss and the passage of time, as he remembers the good times he has had in the house and the people he has shared those moments with.
Despite the door's physical decay, the narrator finds that he still has a deep attachment to it. He notes that "it was a good door, a faithful door," suggesting that the door has served him well over the years and has been a constant presence in his life. The door's significance extends beyond its practical function as a means of entering and exiting the house, as it becomes a symbol of the memories and experiences the narrator has had within its walls.
In the final lines of the essay, the narrator reflects on the fact that "the door will have to be replaced someday," and the prospect of this change fills him with a sense of sadness and regret. The door's eventual replacement serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the fact that all things must eventually come to an end.
In conclusion, "The Door" by E.B. White is a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the impermanence of life. Through the narrator's reflection on an old door that has stood on his property for many years, White evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the door serves as a symbol for the passing of time and the memories that are left behind.