The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter - Analysis of the Unique Self
The composers represent their characters as 'unique selves' through their interaction within society, but also show that they are part of a common humanity
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is about the different problems and struggles of 5 people, John Singer, Mick, Dr Copeland, Biff Brannon and Blount, in America in the 1930s.
In the novel, McCullers represents the characters Dr Copeland and Jake Blount as unique figures due to their individual opinions that conflict with society’s views. During the 1930s in America, there was ongoing racism against the African- American population. Doctor Copeland, an African American, has high expectations for his children and strongly believes that the black population needs education and needs to acknowledge their rights. When he is listening to his family members and their ignorance of the true oppression of black people, he “felt the old… anger in him. The words rose inchoately to his throat and he could not speak them.” The desperate tone that is applied to this passage emphasizes the difference in opinion between him and his society. The 1930s saw the great depression and the failing of the capitalist society. Jake Blount expresses his strong Marxist views only to be ridiculed, and this almost drives him to a state of madness. Because of his conflicting views, he becomes “a stranger in a strange land”. His repetition of the word “strange” and a hyperbolic notion of his difference shows the extent to which he abides by his opinions. Therefore, McCullers represents her character as unique through their opinions that are not accepted in society.
The protagonists of The Heart is A Lonely Hunterare unique as they each create their own sense of identity within society. The characters have an individual and distinct drive or obsession that they merge with their identity. Mickis devoted to music and shapes her world around it. McCullers defines “music as her… the real plain her… the whole world was this symphony”. The repetition
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is about the different problems and struggles of 5 people, John Singer, Mick, Dr Copeland, Biff Brannon and Blount, in America in the 1930s.
In the novel, McCullers represents the characters Dr Copeland and Jake Blount as unique figures due to their individual opinions that conflict with society’s views. During the 1930s in America, there was ongoing racism against the African- American population. Doctor Copeland, an African American, has high expectations for his children and strongly believes that the black population needs education and needs to acknowledge their rights. When he is listening to his family members and their ignorance of the true oppression of black people, he “felt the old… anger in him. The words rose inchoately to his throat and he could not speak them.” The desperate tone that is applied to this passage emphasizes the difference in opinion between him and his society. The 1930s saw the great depression and the failing of the capitalist society. Jake Blount expresses his strong Marxist views only to be ridiculed, and this almost drives him to a state of madness. Because of his conflicting views, he becomes “a stranger in a strange land”. His repetition of the word “strange” and a hyperbolic notion of his difference shows the extent to which he abides by his opinions. Therefore, McCullers represents her character as unique through their opinions that are not accepted in society.
The protagonists of The Heart is A Lonely Hunterare unique as they each create their own sense of identity within society. The characters have an individual and distinct drive or obsession that they merge with their identity. Mickis devoted to music and shapes her world around it. McCullers defines “music as her… the real plain her… the whole world was this symphony”. The repetition