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 for Paul to come back from the stable. She watches the clock and listens for any sign of his return, and forces herself to recoil from running out to the stable to look for him when he is a few minutes late. Ellen also shows she's lonely when she says "Don't go yet. I brood and worry when I'm left alone. Please, Paul ---- you can't work on the land anyway." (pg 114)
             As the story develops there is a clear sense of isolation that is present, Paul, Ellen and her baby live in a two bedroom house half a mile from there closest neighbour, the author expands this feeling when he adds that they only visit town once a month, and no form of transportation is suggested other then foot. Ellen clearly feels isolated because she pleads with Paul arguing that she can't continue on like this. "I'm so caged --- if I could only break away and run. See --- I stand like this all day. I can't relax. My throats so tight it aches." (pg 114) the imagery used to express the farmland is cold and dark which also suggests a very isolated atmosphere.
             The harsh environment in the characters lives is made most
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