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The Lamp at Noon. Kellan, Connor, Tyler. Sinclair Ross. Born January 22 1908 near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Left school at 16 to work at the Royal Bank of Canada Wrote in his spare time and in April 1933 won a short story competition with the story “No Other Way”. Biography.
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The Lamp at Noon Kellan, Connor, Tyler
Sinclair Ross • Born January 22 1908 near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan • Left school at 16 to work at the Royal Bank of Canada • Wrote in his spare time and in April 1933 won a short story competition with the story “No Other Way”
Biography • Most popular short stories include “The Painted Door”, “A Field of Wheat” and “The Lamp at Noon”. Most of his stories revolved around the Canadian prairies during the depression • Wrote his most acclaimed novel “As For Me and My House” in 1941 • Next two novels “The Well” (1958) and “Whir of Gold” (1970) failed to make much critical impact, but his third novel “Sawbones Memorial” (1974) was a great success
Biography • Upon retirement in 1968, he moved to Greece, then Spain, and then returned to Canada due to health issues. In 1992 he was made a member of the Order of Canada. Sinclair died in February 29 1996 from Parkinson's. The following year, Saskatchewan artists and readers erected a bronze statue of him in Indian Head. • Since his death he has become one of Canada’s most respected writers
Vocabulary • Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs with congestion • Muslin: A cotton fabric made in various degrees of fineness and often printed, woven, or embroidered in patterns
Plot • Exposition? Initial incident? Rising action? Climax? Falling action? Resolution? • Who is the protagonist? • Does the story have a moment of realization?
Narrative • What point of view is the story written in? • Why is it written in this point of view? • How does it help the development of the story?
Characterization • Is Paul a round or flat character? Static or dynamic? How about Ellen? • How are Paul and Ellen different? How are they the same? • What is Paul’s dominate trait? Is this also one of his flaws? How about Ellen?
Conflicts • What are the conflicts that arise throughout the story? • How do the conflicts affect the story? Do they help its progress? • What conflicts have been brought about by the Depression?
Theme • What themes arise throughout the story? • What is the overall theme of the story? • Do the themes relate well to the Depression? • Are the theme’s within directed at a specific audience?
Symbols • What symbols can you find throughout the story? • What does the lamp at noon symbolize? • Are there any motifs in the story?
Quotes What are the significance of these quotes? • Paul ran his hands over the ribs, and felt a sudden shame, a sting of fear that Ellen might be right in what she said. Far wasn’t it true-nine years a farmer now on his own land, and still he couldn’t even feed his horses? What, then, could he hope to do for his wife and son? P. 427 • “You said tonight we’d see the storm go down. So still now, and a red sky-it means tomorrow will be fine.” P.430
Questions • How does the feeling of isolation play a part in the story? • From the way Paul and Ellen react to their current situation, what economic standing do you think each of them came from? • Ross was in his 20’s when the Depression hit. How might his age have affected his experience in the Depression? How might this have affected the story?
Bibliography • http://www.thecanadianencylopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=ICE&Params=A1ARTA0006938 • http://esak.uregina.ca/entry/ross_sinclair_1908-96.html • The Oxford Anthology of Canadian Literature • http://www.helium.com/items/945048-the-use-of-setting-and-atmosphere-in-the-lamp-at-noon-by-sinclair-ross