Ark of the Lost Angels

The narrative style of The Moon In Her Doorway by Joy Kennedy-O’Neill gives the impression very early on of the moon being a metaphor. The tone of the story appears light and whimsical: the moon falling out of the sky and trapping someone in their house is a ridiculous premise. However, it’s revelation in the end of the story sets a precedent that any intelligent reader would easily come to know: that things are not as they seem.

Indeed, the landlord, who is supposed to look out for his tenets’ best interests, refuses to cut the burglary bars on her windows because she requested that they be put in. Her lover gave her a golden bracelet that turned out to be just brass. Additionally, he is flirting with a reporter by the time she frees herself at the end of the story. He is shown not to be the person she thinks he is. Her earlier pregnancy is revealed towards the end of the story, which derailed once the father found out about the baby and presumably abandoned her in the midst of a psychotic break.

Furthermore, the largest point of the story is that sometimes the biggest obstacles to one’s advancement come from within, and can be solved alone. It is important to depend on oneself. And that is shown by the same turning away as shown by other characters: when the woman is faced with unintended isolation, she asks for help. Everyone says they will, but they never do. It is only after she decides to take charge and tries her own solutions: first to try and escape through the walls or roof, but there are obstacles she does not want to destroy to get what she wants. She has tried other solutions but they failed until she approaches her problem head on: by using her detriment to her advantage.

The metaphor of eating the moon and gaining strength from it, making her feel more grounded while simultaneously uplifting her represents the feeling of empowerment one can get after overcoming their struggles.

The entire story appears to be a metaphor, more specifically, for depression. Depression, contrary to popular belief, is not just feeling sad, but a much less voluntary, difficult to break feeling of exhaustion, unhappiness, and a desire to do very little. It feels as though a weight is trapping you, and that there are no other ways out. It also leads one to isolate themselves from others, and it also leads others to keep their distance because having a mental issue such as depression is looked down upon. Depression also tends to bring up the worst feelings, such as the loss of a child or the uncertainty of a romantic partner, and place them center stage. These feelings are much more common as an extended depressive episode goes on, as an inability to pull up only results in a further descent.

The woman in the story demonstrates each of these behaviors, the self isolation being metaphorically caused by the moon’s presence even though in reality, it is herself. Many people who struggle with depression also put emphasis on doing things for others, even if it negatively impacts their own mental health, and it is important to set the limits to keep oneself in good spirits, which is what she finally learns to do in the end of the story.