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
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