The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

McCullers’ first novel, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, represents a work that provides a wealth of insight into the lives of minority figures in the south. Published when McCullers was only twenty-two, her ability to capture the heartache and frustration of growing up “different” in the South is both bold and extremely compelling. The work is not only important because of McCullers’ age, but also because she portrays each minority group within the same humanity and respect as the characters of her own race. McCullers affinity for those who reside in the margins always strikes me when I read her works; it is necessary to note that her emphasis on these characters is largely autobiographical—there was not much average about Carson McCullers.

The novel follows a group of characters who are plagued by loneliness; they each feel cheated without the opportunity for recourse. However, most importantly, they are ostracized, in varying degrees, because of their attitudes, beliefs, and desires. However, each character takes solace in the deaf mute, John Singer, who, in many cases, is the first to offer each of these people any sort of attention. Consequently, John Singer becomes a savior figure for Mick, Jake, Dr. Copeland, and Biff. It is quite ironic that although all of the others constantly confide in Singer, he faces a great crisis of his own: the deteriorating mental state of his friend, Spiros Antanapolis, which is a problem that he cannot express to anyone.

The characters within the novel could not be more different in their circumstances; however, they are linked together by the fact that they have no voice in the world. Mick Kelly, a gangly tomboy, suffers from appearing atypical, coming-of-age, and having to choose between extending her childhood, or working in order to support her family. Dr. Copeland commits his entire life to providing medical care for the African American community, but he cannot seem to motivate his fellow African Americans to better themselves. However, in the eyes of the white community, he is still regarded as just another black. Additionally, Biff Brannon, the perpetual transient, tries, to no avail, to rally anit-capitialistic sentiment among the mill workers who, he believes, are slaves to capitalism. On the other hand, New York Café owner, Biff Brannon, tries to assert his maternal-like instincts, but has to make sure that he does not overstep his place and role in society as a man.

In addition to the elements of psychological repression previously mentioned, there are a variety of other Gothic elements throughout the novel. Mick’s rough manner of speech and quick-witted threats are of note; she shares this characteristic with another one of McCullers’ young female characters, Frankie Addams. Also, the Kelly’s house, which is quickly falling into disrepair, provides the setting for a large portion of the novel. However, violence also factors heavily into McCullers’ work. Bubber, Mick’s brother, freely wields a rifle around the neighborhood, which leads to the accidental shooting of Baby. Additionally, the amputation of Willie’s feet, and the suicide of John Singer represent other examples.

In The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Carson McCullers portrays a great number of oppressed groups in the south: women, African Americans, homosexuals, poor whites, the disabled, and anti-capitalists. However, in terms of my research, I think that she provides great examples of marginalized African Americans and homosexuals. Although Dr. Copeland has given so much to his community and slowly built his relations with the white community, he is still black in the eyes of society, and no amount of education or refinement can change that. Dr. Copeland’s pride also functions as an oppressive force: he harbors ill feelings towards whites collectively because of the abuse and ridicule that the African American race has suffered over the years. Additionally, the relationship between John Singer and Spiros Antanapolis is hard to define. Although Spiros Antanapolis appears grotesque to many people, John Singer feels a highly platonic connection with him that he has never shared with anyone else. He become not only Antanapolis’ best friend, but also his caretaker. Their relationship is at times homoerotic, but it seems that Singer shares a higher spiritual connection with Antanopolis, regardless of whether Antanapolis possesses the ability to reciprocate.