What is the setting of Leiningen Versus the Ants?
The setting is a large plantation in Brazil. The story centers on a plantation in Brazil, owned by a stubborn owner called Leiningen, (his first name never mentioned) who refuses to leave his land. Being faced with an army of deadly ants, Leiningen and his loyal peons fight the attack.
What country did Leiningen live in?
Leiningen is an industrious coffee plantation owner in Brazil. He has built his farm up through hard work and ingenuity.
What is the theme of Leiningen Versus the Ants?
Rationalism Versus Nature Stephenson uses Leiningen to valorize European rationalism and science which, in the 19th and early-20th centuries, were believed to be the keys to social advancement and the cures for any social ill. In contrast, the ants represent uncontrollable and unpredictable natural forces.
What is the climax of Leiningen Versus the Ants?
What is the climax in “Leiningen Versus the Ants”? the image of the stag gives Leiningen the strength and desire to get up and keep running “And something outside him seemed to drag him to his feet.
What is the conflict in Leiningen versus the ants?
(Guide 45) The primary conflict, difficulty, problem is between Leiningen and the Ants. The ants are destructive in numbers and are overtaking Leiningen’s plantation. The climax or turning point occurs when Leiningen decides to flood the ants out.
What type of character is Leiningen?
Leiningen is an aging man with “bristling grey hair, [a] bulky nose, and lucid eyes” (Paragraph 1). He resembles “an aging and shabby eagle” (Paragraph 1). He is stubborn and overly reliant on his intellect, believing that it can assist him in solving all problems, particularly those presented by nature.
Why did Leiningen will not abandon his land?
The owner of a Brazilian plantation, Leiningen, listens to an agitated District Commissioner warn him about an approaching army of ants, “every single one . . . a fiend from hell.” When Leiningen is adamant that he will not abandon his land, so official throws up his arms, insisting that the plantation owner does not …
What did Leiningen realized about the ants nature?
Leiningen realizes that the ant population is very large, but he never gets the full picture that the ants population exceeds his expectations until. He comes across a field filled with ants covering twenty square miles headed to his territory.
Who is the main characters in Leiningen versus the ants?
The protagonist of the story, Leiningen is proven to be a developed character who possesses good and bad attributes, but finds himself in a horrendous situation that requires him to act boldly in order to save himself, and his 400 workers from the ant brigade.
How did Leiningen feel about the act of God?
Unlike his neighbours, Leiningen is not about to give up years of hard work and planning to “an act of God”, as he believes in the superiority of the human brain and has already made preparations. He convinces his workers to stay and fight with him.
When was Leiningen Versus the ants by Carl Stephenson published?
” Leiningen Versus the Ants ” by Carl Stephenson is a classic short story published in the December 1938 edition of Esquire. It is a translation, probably by Stephenson himself, of “Leiningens Kampf mit den Ameisen” which was originally published in German in 1938.
What is the best study guide for Leiningen Versus the ants?
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “Leiningen Versus the Ants” by Carl Stephenson. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
What happens to Leiningen when he is attacked by ants?
He recalls witnessing the ants once pick a downed stag clean to the “white bones” and he resolves not to die that way. Leiningen struggles to his feet and returns to safety. He is badly hurt but alive.
What happens to Leiningen at the end of the story?
Leiningen struggles to his feet and returns to safety. He is badly hurt but alive. At the end of the story he is recovering and states, “I told you I would come back, even if I am a bit streamlined.” The story has some rather obvious themes and elements; like man versus nature.