Nicole Bumbacco Ms. Hannah ELC 4AO Dec 23, 1999 Isolation is defined in the
Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary as occurring when something is “placed apart
or alone.” Naturally, humans are faced with feelings of isolation at certain
times throughout their lives. However, there are particular types of isolation
that capture the imagination of writers and artists. Canadian authors are drawn
towards the theme of isolation in their literature.
Characters portrayed in Canadian literature are either spiritually,
emotionally, physically or geographically isolated. Isolation can either have a
positive or negative affect on humans. Humans are often driven mad by isolation,
where their only means of escaping is by death. Others who are isolated develop
psychotic tendances which cause them to destroy themselves, as well as others.
Throughout Canadian literature, isolation has an extremely negative effect
upon the development of the individual’s character. In the short story “ The
Lamp at Noon”, Sinclair Ross portrays the young woman Ellen as a character who
is driven mad by her geographical isolation. Throughout this story, Ellen
struggles to break free from the poor, barren and hopeless prairie landscape she
and her family inhabit. Ellen has little contact with other people. Living in a
two bedroom home and once a month to town with not a penny to spend was not the
type of environment Ellen wanted to live in ( Ross, 36).
Feelings of loneliness and isolation surround Ellen, trapping her in an
inevitable, hopeless future. Undoubtable, Ellen’s geographical and physical
isolation were not the only components of Ellen’s insanity. Ellen felt
emotionally isolated from her husband, Paul. Paul was too preoccupied with his
farm to even acknowledge Ellen’s feelings of isolation. Ellen addresses Paul
many times, trying to convince him to leave the deserted prairie. Paul does not
listen to Ellen. He feels that all he needs to provide Ellen with is clothes and
nourishment (36).
It is clearly shown at the end of this story when Ellen is driven into a
state of insanity that Paul also needed to show her love and affection (42).
Geographical and emotional isolation warped Ellen’s character into a state of
madness. Sinclair Ross’s “ The Lamp at Noon” is not the only short story that
portrays the negative effects of isolation. In Susanna Moodie’s “ Brian the
Still Hunter”, Brian’s isolation moulds him into a demented and vile character.
Brian’s alcoholism isolates him from himself as well as others.
When sober, others refer to him as a passionate man, but, “ when the wit was
out and the liquor was in, he was as savage as a quarrelsome bear” ( Ross, 6).
Other’s feared Brian’s unpredictable character and therefore Brian endured
little contact with others. Brian’s alcoholism also isolated him from his family
both physically and emotionally. “After being on a spree for a week or two,...he
would hide himself up in the woods and steal home at night, and get what he
wanted out of the pantry without speaking a word to anyone” (6). This quote
exemplifies the physical isolation Brian endures from his family, when he was
drinking. Brian’s isolation also resulted in an emotionally unhealthy
relationship with his wife.
