Theme

The main theme in the short story “The Ladder” by Sheila Purdy is advancing on the career ladder. The title of the short story is also an indicator of the main theme, but we will discuss it in the following section.

Annie is obviously a hard-working girl. She does her job properly and with much attention and care:

“You use the linen cloth on the crystal tumblers, holding each one to the fluorescent light checking for finger marks, giving a good rub. You take them on a tray to the boardroom. The rule is a tumbler and two bottles of sparkling water beside each crimson blotter on the big table…” (ll. 4-7)

However, no matter how hard-working she may be, Annie postpones important decisions related to her career. She feels that she must advance, but she does not find the proper way to do it. She is not lazy, but she is not mentally prepared to make the next step: “In the two years you’ve been here, you’ve never done more than clear the big table, wipe out the executive fridge, empty the bins, l...