The Lamp at Noon

A detailed Summary of The Lamp at Noon


In the short story "The Lamp at Noon" by Sinclair Ross, the characters Ellen and Paul both struggle to survive the dust and drought year after year during the great depression, but soon realize they are faced with unbeatable odds. The characters are torn apart by these harsh elements of nature and their own inability to cope with the changing conditions. This story resembles some very sad but very real aspects of how early farmers lived like during the Great Depression. The mood and attitude which the author portrays is of loneliness, isolation and of harsh environment.

The author develops this story in a way which creates a sense of loneliness for the reader. He shows this through Ellen's feelings, she wants Paul to come back, to feel the assurance of his strength and nearness. Ellen waits f


The harsh environment in the characters lives is made most evident as the story progresses, and is shown in many ways such as the heavily thickened air from all the dust the wind has blown in. Ellen observes the film of dust developing on the dishes set out ten minutes early. The dust is so bad that she has to place a muslin tent over her babies crib to prevent the inhalation which can cause pneumonia. Ellen could also feel "her own throat parched with it" (pg 110). The strong wind creates a harsh environment and is amongst the most severe elements, it not only creates the dust but dries out the soil and lifts it from its roots, taking along any crops with it. This prevents Paul from growing enough food to feed his family and animals. Paul describes the harshness when he says "In here safe and qu

Some common words found in the essay are:
Paul Ellen, Ellen Paul, Please Paul, harsh environment, Sinclair Ross, pg 114, , real aspects farmers, environment author develops, harsh environment author, loneliness isolation harsh, aspects farmers, loneliness isolation, isolation harsh, isolation harsh environment, real aspects, author develops, environment author,

Approximate Word count = 538
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • The Lamp at noon Essay The short story ampquotThe Lamp at Noonampquot is the story of a struggle of a family to survive on their own in the desert. The struggle ... 426 words
  • Blindness ... this relationship is no clearer than in Jose Saramagoamp39s novel Blindness, and Sinclair Rossamp39s collection of linked short stories, The Lamp at Noon and Other ... 1994 words
  • isolation ... In the short story ampquot The Lamp at Noonampquot, Sinclair Ross portrays the young woman Ellen as a character who is driven mad by her geographical isolation. ... 1535 words
  • Lighting for studios ... You can set up lights to give the feel of morning, noon, evening, and night ... a light, adjusting the beam control on a frenel, or by adjusting the lamptosubject ... 1839 words
  • To the Virgins ... Another good symbol is the sun. ampquotThe glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, The higher heamp39s agetting, The ... When the sun reaches itsamp39 prime which is noon time. ... 562 words

Professional Essays

  • Round Characters ... In Sinclair Rossamp39s ampquotThe Lamp at Noon,ampquot Paul and Ellen are toiling on their farm that has been all but destroyed by drought. Beaten ... 918 words
  • Male characters in 2 Novels ... old self the disorder there is far too great things have been moved, the lamp is black ... I keep on writing from noon to dawn, producing a chapter a dayor more ... 2496 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.