Throughout the story, there's a conflict in Ann between her desire for companionship and fear of being controlled. Before hearing the last radio broadcast, she hoped for a companion with whom to share work, have children and plan the valley's future (5, 36). Then she feared a man might be selfish and, because of greater strength, make her a slave (5-6, 36).
Ann's inner conflict is common, since every social relationship involves compromise between personal freedom and responsibility to others, or between people's different interests. To have companionship, one must compromise and give up some freedom. The only way to have complete control is to be alone and egoistic, withdrawing from society into oneself.
Ann's inner conflict is common, since every social relationship involves compromise between personal freedom and responsibility to others, or between people's different interests. To have companionship, one must compromise and give up some freedom. The only way to have complete control is to be alone and egoistic, withdrawing from society into oneself.
When the stranger first entered Burden Valley and called excitedly, "Haaay...Anybody here?" (22-23), Ann felt an instinctive urge to run to him but retrained herself because of fear:
It came on me in a rush, very strong. I wanted to run down the hill through the woods and call, "I'm here." I wanted to cry, and touch his face. But I caught myself in time, and stayed quiet. (23)