Door Forever

Now let us try for you to analyze a text, and apply the terms we covered
this Module 4. You will be reading a short story, and I want you to pay
attention to its conflict. As guide, try to answer these questions as you read
the text:

o How does the conflict tilt the balance in the story?
o How does the conflict creates protagonist/s and
antagonist/s in the story?
o How does the conflict leads us to the climax of the story?
Lastly, as you analyze the conflict of the story, I want you to be also alert
how on does the conflict lead us to the text's resolution. Here are some
guide questions for you:

o What restores the balance in the story?
o How does the resolution reveal insights about the character?
Notes:
- Unrequited love
- Man vs. himself
- Tilts the balance as when a lot could’ve happened, the man still died at the end. The man
could’ve
“Door Forever” by Shao Baojian shows a such heart-rending story of an old bachelor and an old maid
whose romance was hidden through a long-term pining and of unspoken feelings. The conflict of the
story was then revealed to be the fact that the two characters, Zheng Ruoki and Pan Xue’er, are
clandestinely liking each other yet the two kept on tiptoeing around, not trying to break the barrier that
keeps their platonic relationship. Zheng and Pan were both single; both quite acquainted with each
other; Zheng always had shown interest in Pan through the flowers which presumedly bought from
where Pan works; got neighbors rooting, but never did they try to express their liking even until Zheng
died. The conflict can be classified as man versus self, specifically Zheng versus himself, as it could be
perceived that his character was more explored (than Pan) even if there were seemingly two main
characters in the story. It was revealed in the way the author narrated his habits and routines (Par. 8-
16), including that of having a vase that is always cleaned spotless with crystal clear water and fresh
flowers (which again, presumedly was bought from Pan’s workshop). This conflict then tilts the balance.
Based from the story, there are several possibilities that may happen: Zheng could’ve not moved beside
Pan’s house, causing them to not interact; Pan could’ve initiated a conversation with Zheng; Zheng
could’ve visited his neighbors at least once. But in the story, the writer chose the characters to keep on
just exchanging two words, “Morning,” and “Leaving?” following by Pan passing Zheng. Despite on being
single and having been able to start a proper conversation which might trigger a significant change in
their relationship, Zheng and Pan keep on just performing the same greeting across multiple
instantiations across time and Zheng keep on just taking care of the flowers and the vase (that is
supposed to be given to Pan), which probably might be the story’s donnee. Zheng and Pan are singly and
are obviously hiding some sparks in between yet they were not taking proper actions upon it that would
break their pining. As this conflict was fleshed out, we could see that it takes the form of both human’s
outlook and action. Zheng had intentions of pursuing Pan romantically (and vice versa) but he didn’t
actually try to make a move. He settled in taking care of the vase with flowers that are ought to be given
to Pan, and in the momentary greetings in the morning. From here, we can see how the conflict made
Zheng the protagonist (or more like his shadow self) and his inner self (or more like his ego) as the
antagonist. The readers started to root Zheng to pursue Pan, but there was an inner saboteur that was
keeping his cravenness.
We can thereby see how this conflict defined the plot of the story. Starting from the exposition (Par. 1-
8), where the characters are being introduced—where the writer is giving hints about Zheng and Pan’s
status of being single and their short exchange of words in the morning. The two, in this part, already
seemed to have potential in developing romantic relationship. To the rising action (Par. 9-19) where the
writer goes explaining how Zheng always returns home carrying a bunch of fresh flowers being put in a
crystal-clear vase, which the neighborhood hoped to see in Pan’s house one day. Seemingly, this vase is
ought to show the liking of Zheng in Pan, given that Pan also works as florist. He was taking extra care of
it because there was no other way he could express his feelings. The rising action then continues up to
that one early morning in fall where Zheng and Pan still exchanged words (not knowing it’s their last).
Following this event was the climax (Par. 20-24) where Zheng did not return home from work—turned
out he died due to heart attack. People grieved and wreathes were given. There was then a big one
decorated with different kind of fresh flowers, which was from Pan. At this point, the conflict being
resolved seem to have dwindled into nearing failure. Zheng died without being able to express his
feelings, and Pan couldn’t also do anything but show the reciprocation of her feelings through the
flowers she brought to Zheng—in parallel to what Zheng has been taking care of as symbol to his liking
for Pan. The falling action (Par. 25-27) follows, where Pan moved away suddenly. The neighbors saw the
blue vase still having a white chrysanthemum in it, not faded. We could infer that maybe, Pan was the
one who cleaned it after Zheng died so as to show the reciprocated romantic feelings which Zheng failed
to know while he was still alive. Conflict then leads to the resolution (Par. 28-33) where the neighbors
discovered a door behind the old bamboo bookshelf and much to their dismay, it was only a painting.
This painting of a door represents the resolution of the conflict as it was the painter’s (Zheng’s) only way
of expressing his feelings to Pan. As an art worker, perhaps he couldn’t do anything to show his
intentions but to paint. And so, this door symbolizes Zheng’s only confession of love (that can be really
perceived by others, not only by assumptions) and his intent to enter Pan’s life.
This resolution reveals an insight into the major character of Zheng. The story “Door Forever” belonged
to him. He’s a man in love but he couldn’t vocalize his feelings for his and Pan’s platonic relationship to
change. He settles for less—remains in his shell of cravenness—by just greeting Pan every morning and
buying flowers to showcase his love. He died undeservingly without having been able to confess. The
only thing that was left for his love to be showed was the door he painted as a symbol of his intent to
enter Pan’s life. Perhaps that’s a painter’s profession, but it still didn’t guarantee the happy ending that
the characters deserved. The same goes for Pan who moved away after Zheng died. It was obvious that
Zheng was the reason for it; She couldn’t take no longer being on the same place where her love that
was supposed to bloom wilted instantly. Her loved one disappeared without a proper conversation
being exchanged. The two tiptoed around for so long that it became too late for them to be together.

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Now let us try for you to analyze a text, and apply the terms we covered

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