The+Lamp+at+Noon

1. Describe the atmosphere or mood of this story using references from the story. The mood of the story is depressing and sad because everything is falling apart and all their nessesities are running out.

2. Is the ending optimistic or pessimistic? Explain Your answer. It seems optimistic because they talk about how the storm is leaving and tomorrow will be a good day. But the end of the story is pessimistic because the baby has died and Ellen has gone slightly insane.

3. Why does Ellen run away? In your opinion, could the tragedy have been avoided? Why or why not? I Ellen ran away because she panicked and didn't know what to do and she thought her best option was to leave as fast as she could. Yes, the tragedy could have been avoided if Ellen had waited and thought it through first and not freaked out and made a split second desicion.

4. Which of the two characters do you feel more sympathy for? Defend your choice. I feel more sympathy for Ellen and the child because they are weaker, especially the baby, against the storm. I also feel sympathy for them because Ellen wants to leave town because there's nothing there for them but Paul won't leave because he doesn't want to look bad.

5. What is the author saying about the effect the Depression had on human relationship? The Depression had a huge impact on the human relationships. It added stress and tension and caused fighting between couples and families.

6. Write a letter that Ellen or Paul might have written to his/her parents the next morning. Share your letter with others.

Short Stories - Literary Devises Title: The Lamp at Noon

Point of View: 3rd person

Protagonist: Ellen What type of character is the Protagonist? Dynamic and round.

Antagonist: Paul

Describe the setting: The setting was during the great Depression in the prairies.

Type of Conflict: Man Vs. Man, Man Vs. Himself, Man Vs. Nature.

Describe the main conflict: The conflict was between Ellen and Paul about whether or not to stay. Paul thought that it was would rain and they would get their crops back but Ellen just wanted what was best for her baby. Another main conflict was with Ellen, Paul, and the child against the storm.

Describe the Climax of the Story: The climax of the story was when Paul found Ellen and the baby in her arms who was most likely dead.

How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story? Ellen changes over the coarse of the story because she starts off being smart about the situation and would take the time to think what she was going to do through first. By the end of it she was so freaked and panicked by the situation that she ran when usually she would have stayed and waited for Paul.

Describe the relationship between the title and the theme. The title "The Lamp at Noon" because of the huge sand storm that made everything dark 24/7 that you needed to light a lamp at noon.

How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme? The main conflicted shows how the storm turned everything into a disaster.

How does the climax help to illustrate the theme? The climax helps to illustrate the theme which is the stuggle to survive relates to the climax because Ellena and Paul were barely surviving the storm.

Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):

Simile: "...the sun raced like a wizened orange."

Metaphor: "it's a desert" there is nothing to eat or do

Personification: "...the first wind sprang inside the room, distraught like a bird that has felt the gaze of talons on its wing;..."

Symbol: The two winds that are chasing after each other and fighting were a symbol for Ellen and Paul.

Foreshadowing (give both elements): "...a fear had obsessed her that in the dust filled air he might contract pneumonia." This is an example of foreshadowing because in the beginning Ellen and a fear that the baby wouldn't be able to survive the storm and in the end he didn't.

Irony: Ellen ran to save the baby but instead she killed him.

Imagery:"Beaten and mounded smooth with dust..."

Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story.


 * Character Sketch**

Choose three words that describe the inner workings of Paul.

1. Hardworking

2. Stubborn Quote "We'll have crops again," he persisted. "Good crops-the land will come back. It's worht waiting for." shows how he is very stubborn because he is conviced that it will rain, the crops will come back, and refuses to leave.

3. Proud Quote "i can't go, Ellen. Living off your people-charity-stop and think of it. This is where I belong. I can't do anything else." shows his pride

Find three pieces of evidence to support your describing word choices. Include at least one quote.

1. He was willing to work hard on the crops.

2. Refused to go live with Ellens parents even when Ellen begged him.

3. He refused to live with Ellens parents because he didn't want to take their charity.

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 * __Paragraph:__** In the short story "The Lamp at Noon" Paul shows us that he is a hardworking, stubborn, and proud young man. He is conviced that it is going to rain again soon and seeing as he is hardworking he wants to stay and grow new crops. He will work to start up their life again on the farm. As much as Ellen begged Paul he was extremely stubborn and refused to leave his farm and work for Ellen's father. He is conviced that it will rain soon and that his crops will come back and they will be able to go back to how it was before the storm. Paul is very proud that he is indepented and wants to take care of his family on his own. He does not want to accept "charity" as he called it from Ellen's family. He rather stay on the farm and live a less comfortable life and be able to keep his pride.======