"McCullers' gift," writes Joyce Carol Oates, "was to evoke, through an accumulation of images and musically repeated phrases, the singularity of experience, not to pass judgment on it." In her novels, Carson McCullers lets us see into the lives of characters that are lonely, outcast, or just confused.
Carson McCullers was named Lula Carson Smith when she was born on February 19, 1917 in Columbus, Georgia. After graduating from high school in 1933, she wrote her first short story, "Sucker." In 1935, she started Columbia University, where she studied fiction. And, in 1936, McCullers wrote "The Mute," a story that would become "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," which is considered one of her most unforgettable works.
About "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"
McCullers worked on the novel for a year--frustrated--until she created John Singer, a deaf-mute, around whom the lives of Biff Brannon, Mick Kelly, Jake Blout, and Doctor Copeland revolved. The interaction between these characters is "an event," because "it almost never happens." In their troubled lives, the characters gravitate toward Singer, believing that if they tell "all of the facts out loud" they'll be able to understand those illusive truths of life.
As McCullers writes, "in some men it is in them to give up everything personal at some time, before it ferments and poisons--throw it to some human being or some human idea." Each of the characters has lost something or someone.
About "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"
McCullers worked on the novel for a year--frustrated--until she created John Singer, a deaf-mute, around whom the lives of Biff Brannon, Mick Kelly, Jake Blout, and Doctor Copeland revolved. The interaction between these characters is "an event," because "it almost never happens." In their troubled lives, the characters gravitate toward Singer, believing that if they tell "all of the facts out loud" they'll be able to understand those illusive truths of life.
As McCullers writes, "in some men it is in them to give up everything personal at some time, before it ferments and poisons--throw it to some human being or some human idea." Each of the characters has lost something or someone.
But, none of the characters can find that something that will satisfy their needs and fill the void. But, somehow, the other characters have come to believe that Singer understands their needs. They need to put their faith in him, as their savior and as the one who they think will lead them to a mythical promised land.
Finding Meaning in "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"
The story is full of epiphanies, which the main characters notice and react to in various ways. But, in the midst of their epiphanies, there's a world full of violence--with one man loosing his feet in an act of human cruelty. The world is not a tidy package to tie up neatly. And, for Biff, there's one final epiphany: "he felt a quickening in him. His heart turned and he leaned his back against the counter for support. For the swift radiance of illumination he saw a glimpse of human struggle and of valor. Of the endless fluid passage of humanity through endless time." There is layer upon layer of confusion. The world appears to come undone, but there may be a ray of hope.
Finding Meaning in "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"
The story is full of epiphanies, which the main characters notice and react to in various ways. But, in the midst of their epiphanies, there's a world full of violence--with one man loosing his feet in an act of human cruelty. The world is not a tidy package to tie up neatly. And, for Biff, there's one final epiphany: "he felt a quickening in him. His heart turned and he leaned his back against the counter for support. For the swift radiance of illumination he saw a glimpse of human struggle and of valor. Of the endless fluid passage of humanity through endless time." There is layer upon layer of confusion. The world appears to come undone, but there may be a ray of hope.
"Reflections on a Golden Eye"
If her first novel is about epiphanies and the discovery of what is lost, McCullers next two works are explorations of the unusual, even freakish.
Written in a two-month period of time in 1939, "Reflections on a Golden Eye" appeared in serial form in August 1940, and was published in 1941. It's the story of Private Ellgee Williams and his fixation on Leonora Penderton, the Captain's wife. Also linked to this tale of voyeurism is a story about Leonora's affair with Major Landon, a married neighbor.
And then there's the Major's wife, Alison. Already in poor health, her husband's infidelity causes her to become further disturbed to the point of self-mutilation. The gist of the work is summed up with this: "There are times when a man's greatest need is to have someone to love, some focal point for his diffused emotions. Also there are times when the irritations, disappointments, and fears of life, restless as spermatozoids, must be released in hate."
"The Ballad of the Sad Café"
If her first novel is about epiphanies and the discovery of what is lost, McCullers next two works are explorations of the unusual, even freakish.
Written in a two-month period of time in 1939, "Reflections on a Golden Eye" appeared in serial form in August 1940, and was published in 1941. It's the story of Private Ellgee Williams and his fixation on Leonora Penderton, the Captain's wife. Also linked to this tale of voyeurism is a story about Leonora's affair with Major Landon, a married neighbor.
And then there's the Major's wife, Alison. Already in poor health, her husband's infidelity causes her to become further disturbed to the point of self-mutilation. The gist of the work is summed up with this: "There are times when a man's greatest need is to have someone to love, some focal point for his diffused emotions. Also there are times when the irritations, disappointments, and fears of life, restless as spermatozoids, must be released in hate."
"The Ballad of the Sad Café"
In 1941, McCullers started writing "The Ballad of the Sad Café," which would be published in 1943. Like "Reflections," this is shorter than most of her other works. The work is set in a town, which "is lonesome, sad, and like a place that is far off and estranged from all other places in the world." Miss Amelia runs a small-town store, and she is the town healer.
When Cousin Lymon arrives, Miss Amelia promptly falls in love with him--an ill-fated relationship about which McCullers writes: "A most mediocre can be the object of a love which is wild, extravagant, and beautiful as the poison lilies of the swamp." The most positive byproduct of the relationship is the conversion of the store into a café, where the townspeople can meet and socialize. The café gives the townspeople a sense of pride, which "had an effect on almost everyone, even the children." McCullers writes: "There, for a few hours at least, the deep bitter knowing that you are not worth much in the world could be laid low." But, those few hours couldn't last forever. Something was bound to enter into the town bliss, leaving the café (and the people) emptier than before.
When Cousin Lymon arrives, Miss Amelia promptly falls in love with him--an ill-fated relationship about which McCullers writes: "A most mediocre can be the object of a love which is wild, extravagant, and beautiful as the poison lilies of the swamp." The most positive byproduct of the relationship is the conversion of the store into a café, where the townspeople can meet and socialize. The café gives the townspeople a sense of pride, which "had an effect on almost everyone, even the children." McCullers writes: "There, for a few hours at least, the deep bitter knowing that you are not worth much in the world could be laid low." But, those few hours couldn't last forever. Something was bound to enter into the town bliss, leaving the café (and the people) emptier than before.
