Carson McCuller's Lamentations of the American People - Essay Sample

Introduction

McCuller uses her literary skills in revealing the hopelessness and the desperation with the people in the United States. Her literary work forms a significant part of American literature and basing the writings in reality and the lives of people in the United States. Though she was just 23 years, she was able to put in writing the lamentations of the Americans that was brought by the war in the early 20th century. The lamentations of people were characterized by isolation, hopelessness, and loneliness calling people to do unimaginable in the society. The novel is founded on the story of four irreconcilable guys living in the rural part of Georgia in the 1930s. Still, they are compatible with the fact that they have a familiar friend John Singer who relieves them their emotional burdens, and they can comfortably share their struggles and grief to him (Gale). All of these guys are kept part by their distinct responsibilities in society. Each one of them has work which they must actively get engaged despite the atmosphere and economic conditions and status in the country. The four are determined to make life work for them and their families. They are strongly devoted to making things right, and the end meet. The four guys have a common problem as they are struggling to their-fulfillment and the human connection in the society that is unfairly targeting them and unfavorable for their existence. McCuller centers John Singer as the connection between these four characters despite his disability features. John is both deaf and mute, and he communicates only in writing and signs. Despite his disability, they trust him with their solace and secrets, and they find his company friendlier than that from other members of the society (Stausberg). This essay explores how religion has been depicted in the novel as self-delusion. The belief of the four guys to find solace in a man who cannot hear or understand their life issues is raising concern in the novel. They are delusional in believing in finding solace in him, yet he is no better than them.

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Discussion

McCuller uses the novel to take bring out the isolation of people and their ideological perspective to look for a guiding element/idea/ideology or a supreme being. In this perspective, she tries to demonstrate that whatever each individual explores and looks upon to the Supreme Being or the guiding principle, he conceives it in his fantasy (Yana). A perception that does not exist in reality and cannot provide guidance or help, like those people who believe in God without any proof that he exists. They woke up and believe that He woke them up and still hope there are many hidden things He protects them from. Here she analyzes desperation in the four characters, making them trust in a man who can neither hear their cries nor return them. the four characters bring a question of whether religion is impacting people with any commendable life change, or they are just in a corner waiting for miracles while not understanding what the earth might turn into (Yana). Their country is dismayed by economic hardship that requires hard work and intelligence to maneuver; however, the four characters think that the solution to their hardships and economic issues can only be solved by John (Carr). They looked at John as a pearl of infinite wisdom that they could not phantom and would help them solve all their troubles, and they even called him a god (McCullers et al. 37). John is the religious icon in the novel for the main characters, and just like Jesus, each character has tasks for him, and they all believe that he will provide a solution. To Mick, John is the man who motivates her to make music as she feels him, and she is comfortable saying anything to him even what she has never spoken to anyone (McCullers et al. 50). Dr. Copeland believes that John is the only enlightened white person, and the only one who reflects in doctors' passion for ending injustices practiced against black men in the world. In the contrary, John also has his challenges and the battles he has to fight, and he needs to fight against and only wants to be Antonapoulos, a person who is going through the same struggles like him (McCullers et al. 28). He cannot understand why these people who are privileged in society and have everything they ever wanted, and so, he went for advice (McCullers et al. 38). In that perspective, it is live John figures that these people are delusional and confused. They do not know what is best for them or their world.

Conclusion

The novel is constructed in an estranged society where everyone is struggling with their problems. John Singer, the main character, is likable by all other main characters, and they have presumed him as their guiding principle taking him to be supreme than them. They consider him the wisest person among them who can solve their problems. In his position, John is struggling with his disability and is wondering how to respect him and go to him for advice about earthy things that he cannot be able to see or experience in peace.

Works Cited

Carr, Virginia Spencer. Understanding Carson McCullers. Univ of South Carolina Press, 2005.

Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015.

McCullers, Carson, et al. "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1940)." New York Times (1940): 6.

Stausberg, Michael. Religion and Tourism: Crossroads, destinations and encounters. Routledge, 2012.

Yana, W. E. N. "On the Symbolism in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." Journal of Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology College 2 (2010).