Passage In Sinclair Ross's The Lamp At Noon

Today I will be discussing the prevalent theme in the novel of Paul's journey to reach maturity, the importance other characters whom he interacts with played in the development of his character and

The narrator shares this story from his youth in the words of an educated man. His actions as a teen are in stark contrast to his phraseology as an adult. Early in the story, he viewed “nature” as sex, drugs and rock and roll (Boyle 112-113). However, as the story ends and the turmoil subsides, the narrator sees nature for the first time, through the eyes of a person matured by this traumatic experience. The “sun firing buds and opening blossoms” replaced the once revered beer and

It is as if Paul lives in the sun and knowledge of the world, baring that burden while others in society live in darkness with slight sliver of light from the moon believing they know the world to its full extent when in reality they are blind and in the dark. This affects Paul since he possess ideas from another point of view that others have no clue about. This is important because without the knowledge that Paul posses, he would be like his none the wiser parents, which would affect the story a great deal. For example, on page 152, Paul tells his friend, “Don’t do this. Don’t come in here with attitude.” Paul knows how to adapt to the places around him and knows that by accepting the facts and the brunt of the blow, they will accept him begin to

In The Painted Door, the setting is a small farm which supports a man named John and his wife, Ann. The farm on which they live is rather desolate as they are not in a very close proximity to any of their neighbours and are often secluded to their house during the winter seasons with their only interactions being a game of cards with their neighbour, Steven. This scenario in which these two live can be reflected by the environment around them. The story takes place in the midst of a tremendous blizzard, the blizzard is so powerful that Ann can’t walk outside without being pushed over by the wind. This snow covered abyss exemplifies how alone the couple is. The darkness and literal isolation from the rest of the world are clear indicators of this. The dark and cold also represents how Ann views her relationship with John. She yearns for his affection and his attention, but despite these needs all John ever does is work. He works himself to the bone so that Ann can be comfortable with her place in life failing to realize that all she’s ever wanted was affection and company, which she eventually finds in Steven. The Lamp At Noon also makes good use of its setting to help develop the themes as well as the marriage of this story’s couple, Paul and Ellen. The setting of this story is a dried up farm where no crops grow. The whole farm is shrouded in a cloud of dust and wind. The dust fills the air of Paul and Ellen’s house completely smothering everything with dust. Ellen, coming from a richer household, urges Paul to leave believing that they have no future here and that the crops will never grow again. Ellen left a life of comfort and luxury for a dusty, decrepit farm, resulting in feelings of isolation, anger and hopelessness. However, Paul is determined to stay and live off the land, he has faith that the crops will grow and their farm will be prosperous once more. This is

The Painted Door, by Sinclair Ross published in New York in 1941. Is isolation the enemy of our improvement, or is our worst possible counselor? The letter "i" in illness is isolation, it is a feeling through which a person feels and has thoughts about being rejected by others, which leads us to the conclusion that being in that state of mind leads a person in the company of our worst enemy, the one within ourselves. Being Isolated from John was the loneliness Ann had felt which made her feels like it was forced upon her, like a punishment.

In the short story “On the Rainy River” by Tim O’Brien he has a way of portraying certain events with great imagery. He uses this imagery to affect the overall tone of the story. O’Brien shows examples of this from receiving his draft letter, his place of work, and describing what he sees throughout his journeys. The day that O’Brien got his draft letter helps to set the tone in the beginning.

During chapter 6, (Pages 91 - 92) Paul daydreams about life back at his house and how he misses it so much. He remembers the old poplars by the stream behind the town he used to live in and how, as a kid, he used to call it “poplar avenue”. He also recalls the fact that he used to listen to rusting the poplars while hanging his feet over the stream. Paul describes how important this is to him by saying “...and the image of those days still makes my heart pause in its beating”.

When Paul Baumer returns from the war to visit his family, he is unable to relate to them anymore. He says: “I find I do not belong here anymore, it is a foreign world,” He has been away for so long, that he feels very distant from them. The people back home don't understand the pain and terrors of war that Paul has experienced. This makes him feel misunderstood by his loved ones, and he is unsure of how to share his thoughts with them. While his father thinks of the war as an honorable and respectable place to serve, Paul sees it as a violent and scary place to be.

He is hoping that the climate will change and he will get better yield from the land next time. Actually, he does not want to depend on others so he is really being selfish. When Ellen forces him to go to her house he says that “Think of me – and him” (Ross 66). This point where the Paul and Ellen argues. Paul knows that there is a massive problem with the wind, but Paul does not really want to go with Ellen and help her dad.

“The rain this mourning pours from the gutters and everywhere else it is lost in the trees. You need your glasses what you know is there because doubt is inexorable; you put on your glasses. The trees, their bark, their leaves, even the dead ones, are more vibrant wet. Yes, and it’s raining. Each moment is like this—before it can be known, categorized as similar to another thing and dismissed, it has to be experienced, it has to be seen. What did he just say? Did she really just say that? Did I hear what I think I just heard? Did that just come out of my mouth, his mouth, your mouth? The moment sinks. Still you want to stop looking at the trees. You want to walk out and stand among them. And as light as the rain seems, it still rains down on you.” (page 9)

Sinclair Ross’ “The Lamp at Noon” effectively showcases the power of imagery. When used correctly, it can ameliorate the tone, theme and overall experience that the author may be trying to create for the reader. To begin, Ross’ potent use of imagery works to establish a specific setting and mood to commence the narrative. This is exhibited when the narrator states, “In dim, fitful outline the stable and oat granary still were visible; beyond, obscuring fields and landmarks, the lower of dust clouds made the farmyard seem an isolated acre, poised aloft above a sombre void” (Ross 62). This pictorial description of the setting delivers a specific, forlorn mood and ambience to enhance the reader’s understanding and of the setting to further improve the experience of

Paul's father had abused him emotionally, and probably physically, throughout Paul's life. He did so much to Paul's flagging self-image that he had to boast to others to make himself feel big, when he felt tiny inside. When he finally achieved that "bigness" that he always wanted, the glamour of "the good life," his father found him out and took that away from him, or rather, made Paul give it up. This made Paul feel even smaller and made him feel that he would be better off dead. So Paul decided to make his life "better off" and

Because he is selfish and desperate to escape his normal life, he does not think about the consequences of his actions nor does he appreciate what he has. Once he is forbidden from attending his job at Carnegie Hall, we start to see the worst of Paul. Instead of talking to someone about his problems, Paul starts to lie to his father and steal money from his employer just to try to live the way he always wanted.

     The meaning of the passage to Paul is to strengthen his brothers in the faith. Paul wrote this to show them that things will not always be perfect and that some times they will face trials but with Jesus all things are possible. Paul also encourages himself through the encouragement of the church of Colosse. I think that when Paul writes to the church’s and tell them what he thinks, encourages them , prays for them, or even just telling them what he face for the gospel, that it gives him a sense of accomplishment or even a sense of why he is doing what he is doing.