Carson Mccullers The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (Romeo & Juliet. II, ii, 1-2). Had the rose been named anything else, it would still be associated with the same things: sweet smell, usually red, and sometimes thorny. In some cases names are not important, just a group of letters, together forming a word that will forever be associated with the object it named. However, when naming a work of literature, the title can set the mood for the entire outlook on the work. Some authors choose to reveal the main theme or story in the title, while some decide to make the title more ambiguous and unveil how it relates only as one continues reading. In Carson McCullers’ book, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, the significance

the title holds in relation to the themes and characters of the book is revealed and developed as one reads the story.

By naming the book the way McCullers did, one may think this is a book about romance, love, and loss. Romantic love, however, is not what this story is about. There are many themes made prevalent throughout this book; some of the main themes being: love, friendship, isolation, and loneliness. Each of these themes are made clear as one reads, and each also make the title of the novel more meaningful. The themes of love and friendship are made apparent through learning how each of the characters look for love and acceptance. Seeing each character project what they need and want onto John Singer, and Singer onto Spiros Antonopoulos, shows what they truly desire. Each character wants to have a friend, someone to listen to them, and also someone to care for them. Singer himself, believes Antonopoulos is the only one that can provide the love and friendship he desires. He tells Antonopoulos, “I am not meant to be alone and without you who understand” (217). Singer desires friendship when his friend is no longer with him, but does not believe anyone other than Antonopoulos can provide that to him. This also leads to the themes of loneliness and isolation. The characters talk to Singer for a variety of different reasons: he is always there, he will always listen, he will not talk back, and he will not say anything the characters do not want to hear. Although Singer is almost always with at least one other person, he feels isolated. The language barrier constantly blocks what he wants to say to the others and stops them actually from being able to communicate with him. While sometimes the other four enjoy being alone, being alone is different than feeling isolated and lonely. Jake arrived at the point where “if he stayed home he restlessly walked the floor. He sat on the edge of his unmade bed and gnawed savagely at the broken, dirty ends of his fingernails… The loneliness in him was so keen that he was filled with terror” (153). Jake and the others were afraid that they would never be able to feel as though they were part of something; they desired to no longer be alone. When Jake and Dr. Copeland began talking, Dr. Copeland gave Jake the advice that, “the most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone” (302). Each of the characters tried to do what they wanted and accomplish it on their own, however, they learned that they truly desired and needed someone to help them along the way.

The meaning of the title is also divulged when looking into each character. How the characters live their lives and handle the situations they find themselves in, reveals what meaning the words “lonely hunter” have. One of the characters that is made to seem the most lonely and misunderstood is Jake Blount. As the “Jake chapters” continue, it is made clear that Jake is extremely lonely and as he tries to find someone to talk to, he does not always handle himself in a proper way. Jake realizes he is inadequate at talking to strangers and conveying himself as a respectable man, thus making him feel more isolated and “when people feel isolated, the brain goes into self-preservation mode… meaning that they become preoccupied with their own — not others' — welfare... It can also make us seem cold, unfriendly and socially awkward” (Miller). This describes Jake well, he does not worry about others and this also leads him to being cold and unfriendly when he yells at Simms and other strangers, and socially awkward when he is unable to communicate his thoughts.

Mick Kelly is another character that sheds light on the meaning of the name of the novel. Mick has big dreams that in the end are ruined by the situation she ends up in. Mick was “hunting” for friends, and when she thought she found a true friend in Harry, they made a mistake and did not know how to handle the repercussions, so Harry just left. This left Mick changed, “she could not stay in the inside room. She had to be around somebody all the time. Doing something every minute” (305). Mick was left again friendless and now could not stand being alone, yet surrounded by people, she still felt as though she had no one.

While Mick and Jake show the loneliness of being without friends, Dr. Copeland shows a different type, being without family. Dr. Copeland had great plans for his children, wife and the black community. He however did not always know how to control himself, he beat his wife and when his son finally came to visit him, he tells Willie, “I gave you all that was in me. And I put all my trust and hope in you. And all I get is blank misunderstanding and idleness and indifference” (89). Dr. Copeland wanted his children to be successful, have them be doctors or lawyers, and they ended up with jobs such as a nanny and a cook at a restaurant, which displeased Dr. Copeland. Dr. Copeland often spoke of the “true purpose” and the amazing accomplishments that would be held by the black community. He wants to organize huge events like a march to Washington, but becomes too sick to accomplish this. Dr. Copeland finds “no work of lasting value” (331) leaving him to feel cut off from his family and dissatisfied with himself.

Biff was an observant character that gave more insight to the other characters, yet because he did not do much more than observe the others, his life became emotionless. Biff was present when his wife died and even this did not have much affect on him, after her funeral “he sat with his legs crossed, a napkin over his thigh, drinking a cup of tea” (124). Biff showed no emotions, he was now without a wife, and that was the way things were. Biff was also the one who arranged Singer’s funeral and was the least impacted by his death. Biff questioned the meaning of life and suffering, and rather than feeling lonely or alone, he just kept taking life day by day.

The title of the book’s significance is developed clearly in John Singer.

Singer had a friend at the beginning of the novel, someone he could confide in and spend time with, someone who ended up being taken away from him. Having this relationship taken away, Singer was lost. The other characters came to him to talk, but Singer never had a lot to say to them, and they never asked anything about him. This would lead one to wonder why Singer would even want them to come, as they were usually there for selfish reasons, however Singer knew “...it was better to be with any person than to be too long alone” (205). Singer was lonely and looking for a way to fill the void he was feeling. He always went back to Antonopoulos, who Singer believed was the only person with whom he could relate. This ended up being a problem for Singer because when Antonopoulos died, he had no one else and was so wrapped up in Antonopoulos’ death, he passed up an opportunity to become acquainted with new deaf-mutes. Singer could manage Antonopoulos being taken away when he could go and visit him, but now, he is gone forever and it is truly seen that Singer was looking to fill his loneliness in the wrong places. Without Antonopoulos, Singer felt as though “He had been left in an alien land. Alone. He had opened his eyes around him there was much he could not understand” (204). With his friend gone forever, Singer ended his own

life.

The meaning of the title of Carson McCullers’ book, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, can be ambiguous, however through the themes and characters of the story, the true meaning is revealed and developed as one reads the novel. The book becomes more than just a group of people who wander trying to find meaning in their lives; it becomes a story that can be applied and related to the lives of people today. While the name of the rose may not be important, the name of many works of literature are just as important as the meaning as the story itself.