The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
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Transcript of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
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
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=3B08yAYoIrs&feature=
related
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>.