THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
Taking the time to read Carson McCullers’ THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER was an important reminder for me of how our relationships as educators are capable of offering long lasting impacts on students’ reading. I initially picked up this novel after seeing it in a bookstore and being reminded of my first year as an undergrad student when my English professor, Dr. Smith, included McCullers’ The BALLAD of the SAD CAFÉ (another worthwhile read) in our course syllabus. I had really enjoyed reading The BALLAD of the SAD CAFÉ but had not yet taken the time to read more of McCullers’ work. Going forward, I realized how much my own professors and teachers had influenced both my reading interests, and the variety of literature that I have been exposed to. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the educators that have positively impacted your reading choices thus far, and how you are capable of positively impacting student reading by familiarizing yourself with a greater variety of genres, and incorporating them into your course plans as well as your classroom library. This latest read evoked joy, sadness, and intrigue in a way that only southern gothic literature is capable of. McCullers is dedicated to exposing the depth of pain and compassion present in her characters’ lives as she establishes a plot centered around the lonely Mr. Singer. Members of the early twentieth century community in Georgia are drawn to Mr. Singer as they seek his silent wisdom in response to their queries and woes. Unknowingly, Mr. Singer brings together members of his community with his kindness. As with all southern gothic there is an aspect of the absurd, and a truth that functions to describe the uncomfortable aspects of society we aren’t always willing to address. Novels that address the reality of our world often include sensitive topics, and THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER is no exception. Readers should be aware that the novel details childhood violence, discrimination on the basis of race, the struggle of poverty, death of a loved one, and death by suicide. As an educator I would not introduce this novel into my class in its entirety, but would instead suggest the inclusion of short passages that illustrate characteristics of southern gothic as students are made aware of a growing list of genres and what defines them.
Read It Wright 