The Ballad of the Sad

CafeCarson McCullers

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Carson McCullers

Born in Columbus, Ga on Feb 17, 1917

Grew up playing piano. Wanted to become concert pianist.

Age 17 moved to NYC for Julliard for piano

Transfers to Colombia to study writing.

Married James McCullers in 1937

Later got divorcedThey both

realized they were bisexual

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They get remarried in 1945

She later flees to France.

She died on September 29 1967 She had a stroke

which caused brain damage

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Career

Wrote a total of 8 books. Her mainly used theme was the lonely

individualWon 2 Guggenheim Fellowship awards.Won Henry Bellman AwardMany of her works were created into

Broadway plays.

Other Novels

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter 1940

The Ballad of the Sad Café 1941

The Member of the Wedding 1946

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The Ballad of the Sad Café

Published in 1951 Written while going through a divorce The love triangle theme came from one of

Carson’s real life relationships.

Characters

Miss Amelia Evans Owner of the Café Married to Marvin for 10 days Falls in love with Lymon More Masculine

Cousin Lymon Hunchbacked “cousin” of Amelia Obsessed with Marvin

Marvin Very dangerous Sent to Jail but later returns

Amelia and Marvin

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Relationships

Marvin and Amelia are married for 10 daysAmelia teaches Marvin to be kind and

gentle. After divorce, Marvin turns back to his old

ways. Lymon and Amelia

Lymon teaches Amelia how to love like she taught Marvin.

The Cafe

Cousin Lymon’s idea. He and Amelia open it together

A place for the community to gather together

The Fight

Between Marvin and Amelia Lymon comes in and defends Marvin.

They defeat Amelia

Marvin and Lymon destroy the café Both leave Amelia and never return. She waits for Lymon for 3 years then gives up

and boards up her house.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D8h-FePCI4

Themes

Jealousy Obsession Love

Everyone suffers from unreturned love. Can have a good or bad effect on someone.

Works Cited “Ballad of the Sad Café, The.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia

Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011. Web. 18 May 2011. http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9483957.

"Carson McCullers Biography." Biography . A&E Television Networks, LLC., 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.biography.com/articles/Carson-McCullers9391402.

Geissler, Kelley. "Carson McCullers: A Life of Confusion ." www.carson-mccullers.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2011. <http://www.carsonmccullers.com/html/confusion.html>.

Google. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.google.com.

"The Ballad of the Sad Cafe: The Fight ." youtube. Web. 23 May 2011. <http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B08yAYoIrs&feature=related>.