Isolation Essay, Research Paper
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. Alcoholism
often compelled Brian to feel guilty and worthless toward his wife, ? he would take fits of
remorse, and return home to his wife- would go down upon his knees and ask her forgiveness
and cry like a child?(6). Brian?s entire character was destroyed inside, he felt worthless and
incapable. to escape his emotional isolation, Brian attempted to commit suicide. (8) Brian?s
unsuccessful attempt at suicide lead him into physical isolation again. ? he left off drinking
entirely, and wonders about the country with his dogs, hunting. he seldom speaks to anyone…?
(9). This quote exemplifies how Brain was driven into a state of insanity. The character of Brian
in this short story greatly displayed the negative effects isolation can have.
The negative effects of isolation can also be shown through W.O. Mitchell?s novel,
Ladybug, Ladybug. In Ladybug, Ladybug, the negative effects of isolation warp character
Charles Slaughter into a psychopath. The only time Charles felt loved or acknowledged
throughout his life was in the presence of his father. Even though Charles? father was rarely
around, he always remembered to bring him home a present. This gesture made Charles feel
loved and cared for. When his
one he can never escape ( Mitchell, 104). The little portion of self-worth Charles possessed
diminished after his father?s death when he was left isolated and alone with his abusive mother.
Charles? mother blamed her son for all of her problems, making Charles feel guilty and
worthless, ? What trespass damage she had done inside him, draining his battery so the
well-power motor could not turn over for him? (97). Treating Charles like a commodity,
Charles? mother destroyed his character. ?How had she done it to him? Through unfair denials:
no second helpings of wobbly jello, lovely maple walnut ice cream, with broken promises made
to ignite his anticipation so that he could later be destroyed? (97). The lack of love and affection
during his childhood warp Charles into a psychotic character later on in his life. Charles began to
stalk others, attempting to harm them. Though Charles did not want to physically harm others.
He only wanted others to experience the same type of emotional pain he endured during his
childhood. Charles kidnaps a young child, but does not physically harm her. Instead he captures
the child and ties her up. The purpose of this kidnapping was to torment the child?s mother, and
make her feel emotionally distraught. Two days later, Charles set the child free:
Unbind the child. The time hath come to set her free, for thou has carried out my
commandment as I behave bade thee do. The whore mother hath been wounded
well. For two long nights and days of torment hath the deepest pain and anguish a
mother can ever know, her heart is broken. This why the purpose, and hath been
accomplished now (244).
At the end of the novel, Charles committed suicide. Charles felt the only way to escape his
isolation was by death. In heaven, Charles would be reunited with his father and renew his self
worth. It is clearly evident through the demented character of Charles Slaughter how isolation
negatively affects the individual.
The poem ?The Martyrology? by P. B. Nichol is focused upon how spiritual isolation
results in a negative way. A martyr is someone who dies for their religion in order to break away
from their spiritual isolation ?how can I live /who cannot be without you?(line 25). Through
death martyr?s feel they will be united with God, where they will no longer feel the separation
between heaven and earth. This spiritual separation also alters a human?s state of mind,
causing them to be driven mad. ?what can I do/ who shall I be/ I can?t see you any more/ no
direction sign /no longing? (lines 19-20). Since humans can not physically see God, they are
always left wondering and are left emotionally isolated in their own world. Spiritually, humans
will always be isolated from God, which results in a negative way.
Throughout Canadian Literature it is quite evident that isolation has an extremely
negative effect upon the development of the individual?s character. The short story ? The Lamp
at Noon? displays a woman driven into a state of madness due to her emotional and geographical
isolation. WO Mitchell portrays the negative effects of isolation through psychotic character of
Charles Slaughter who endures physical and emotional isolation. In Moodie?s ?Brian the Still
Hunter? Brian?s character displays the negative assets of isolation through his reliance on
alcohol. The poem ?From the Martyrology? shows the negative ways in which humans are
spiritually isolated. Isolation is experienced by individuals in different ways. It does not occur to
just those who endure hardships. Isolation is a fundamental human fact in which we all strive to
break free of or avoid.
Mitchell, W.O. Ladybug, Ladybug. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1988.
Moodie, Susanna. ?Brian the Still Hunter? Isolation in Canadian Literature. Ed. David
Arnason and Alice K. Hale. Toronto: The Macmillian Company of Canada
Limited,1975. 4-16.
Nichol, P. B.? From the Martyrology? Isolation in Canadian Literature.Ed.David
Arnason and Alice K. Hale. Toronto: The Macmillian Company of Canada Limited,
1975. 97-98.
.
Ross, Sinclair. ?The Lamp at Noon.? Isolation in Canadian Literature. Ed. David
Arnason and Alice K. Hale. Toronto: The Macmillian Company of Canada Limited,
1975. 31-43.
Nichol, P. B.? From the Martyrology? Isolation in Canadian Literature.Ed.David
Arnason and Alice K. Hale. Toronto: The Macmillian Company of Canada Limited,
1975. 97-98.