The Lamp at Noon Quiz

When does the story take place?

• In the 1980s in a dust storm

• In the 1900's in the southern United States

• In the 1930s during the great depression

• In 1920's Africa in the desert

What did Ellen do before she moved to the farm?

• Was a teacher

• Worked in a shop

• Was a dress designer

• Was a stay-at home mom

What is personified in the story?

• The horses

• The barn

• The lamp

• The wind

Why does Ellen not hold her baby?

• Her arms are too weak

• She doesn't know how to hold him

• She is afraid he will get sick

• He will fall back asleep eventually

Which object is symbolic and why?

• The wind because it howls like a person

• The lamp because it represents Ellen's hope

• The house as it represents Ellen's oppression

• The horses as they represent the affection Ellen craves

When Paul goes to the barn what is he running from?

• His crying infant

• His overbearing wife

• The truth of his situation

• The sand and dust in his house

When Paul hears "crying in the wind" what is he hearing?

• The moaning of the barn as it is battered by the wind

• His baby

• Ellen

• A ghost

What three things are affecting Ellen's mental health?

• The dust

  The lack of light

  The horses

• The baby

  Paul

  How small her house is

• The storm

  Isolation

  Lack of attention

• No food

  No water

  Lack of shelter

Why does Paul not move back to town?

• Doesn't want to work for Ellen's dad

• He doesn't like living around other people

• His extraordinary amount of pride and arrogance

• He refuses to give in to Ellen because she is selfish

What happens at the end of the story?

• Everything is ok since the sun comes up

• Ellen and Paul reconcile their differences

• Ellen and the baby are found safe and sound

• The baby dies due to suffocation