The+Lamp+at+Noon+-+Literary+Devices



Short Stories - Literary Devises Title: The Lamp at Noon

Point of View: 3rd person

Protagonist: Paul, and Ellen What type of character is the Protagonist? Round, and Dynamic Antagonist: The wind

Describe the setting Took place in deserted land, with dry air probably somewhere in Eastern Canada. It happened at the time of the Great Depression which was around the 1930s.

Type of Conflict: Man vs Environment, Man vs Man

Describe the main conflict: I think that there are two main conflicts. The family facing the wind was the main picture but mentally, Paul, and Ellen had two different opinions on whether to leave or stay at their home. Paul wanted to stay because he did not want to work for "charity", and did not want to work with Ellen's father. Ellen wanted to leave because she cannot provide enough food for her baby, and thought that there was no future staying at their home. She also wanted to leave because her family had little money, and she likes pretty things.

Describe the Climax of the Story: The climax of the story was when Ellen attempted to leave her home. This caused the baby to die from inhaling too much dust, and caused Paul, and other people to look for Ellen.

How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story? The protagonists (Paul, and Ellen) changed a lot over the course of the story. Ellen ended up wanting to stay because she thought that the wind was gone, and

Describe the relationship between the title and the theme. The title "The Lamp at Noon" relates to the theme "Isolation" because Ellen, and Paul had to have the lamp lit up because of the storm of dust that was happening, and destroying their house. This caused them to be isolated from one another, and from others because this caused a fight, and it was difficult to go outside because you could die from inhaling too much of the dust.

How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme? The main conflict, "Man vs Man helps illustrate the theme "Isolation" because Ellen, and Paul had two totally different opinions on something important, and this causes them to be isolated from another. Ellen was also isolated in her house because she could not leave, and had to care for the baby which she could not provide enough food for.

How does the climax help to illustrate the theme? The climax of Ellen attempting to start a new life by leaving home illustrates the theme of "Isolation" because Ellen left because she was feeling isolated, and needed to tend for the baby.

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

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

Metaphor: "...she might have been carried by the wind"

Personification: "Demented wind fled keening past the house."

Symbol: Vicious wind is a symbol of destruction.

Foreshadowing (give both elements): There were many examples of foreshadowing in this story. One example of foreshadowing was when Ellen was holding the baby, and said that he was cold. This would lead the reader to thinking that the baby does die.

Irony: Paul did not want to depend on "Charity" by moving out to another place but he had to take lones just to survive in where he lives.

Imagery: There is vivid imagery in this short story. The lamp in this story shows the reader that the current storm is different from other storms.

Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story. There are many relationships between the class theme of "Humanities", and the story "The Lamp at Noon". This story was very dark, because of the need to light lamps, and the storm that could suddenly destroy them all, because they are only human. Ellen felt isolated because she had to remain in her house for the whole time. Isolation is felt by most humans, and it is one thing that makes us human.