The Theme Of Responsibility In Lamp At Noon

Responsibility for oneself can be shown in various ways, often though the complexity is something that can be overlooked. The story “Lamp at Noon” is a short story by Sinclair Ross, which takes place in the middle of a dust storm, where the main characters, Ellen and Paul, are in constant disagreement about what they should do about their prevailing situation. Ross explores the theme of responsibility through the disagreements and exasperation Ellen and Paul experience. In some situations it may be argued that individuals display responsibility for themselves effectively, however, responsibility is shown through a series of traits. Individuals must take accountability for their actions, recognizing the part they have played, as well as being

In the text individuals frequently do an inadequate job at displaying responsibility, as they do not exhibit the traits of responsibility through their behavior.

The characters in the story never take accountability for what they have done or said, and instead they place blame on the other person. Therefore they are behaving in a way that does not exhibit all traits of responsibility. Ellen and Paul are in disagreement throughout the majority of the story, and not once do they show their responsibility through taking accountability, meaning that they do not show a willingness or obligation to accept responsibility for their behavior. Instead the opposite is shown in a considerable amount of situations. On pages three and four, Ellen and Paul argue about who is in the right; they are both thinking selfishly and accusing each other of doing so, without recognizing where the other person is coming from. A large part of taking responsibility is to not make accusations and place blame, rather, to instead accept what has happened. Next, in the following quote, Ellen is disputing Paul, as she wants to leave, as a way to escape their current circumstances, but Paul wants to maintain

In the text some individuals are able to look at the other person's perspective, but others struggle to see it any way but their own. Near the beginning of the story Ellen firmly believes that she is in the right, it mentions how she wants to go to Paul as she wants something to soothe the “menace of the wind”, but she thinks“[she is] in the right. [She] won't give in” and, because of this, she will not even consider Paul's opinion or perspective. On the other hand, Paul does an excellent job at looking at Ellen's perspective. On pages six and seven, Paul realizes that many points Ellen has made are possibly true. The text states what Ellen has said previously, in Paul's thoughts and he acknowledges them. Another instance of Paus willingness to change, is when he is thinking about Ellen's perspective and then in that moment he decides that he needs to change his thinking and that “he must talk with Ellen, patiently.” When Paul considers Ellen he lets that influence his actions positively. Although Paul does this well, in order for it to be effective in a situation such as the one Paul and Ellen are in, both characters need to be able to do this effectively. At the end of the story Ellen says to Paul that he was right, just before this though Paul is thinking about how