Theory Of Love In Carson Mccullers's The Ballad Of The Sad Cafe

The novella of the Ballad Of The Sad Café, written by Carson McCullers, obtained a complicated theory of love, which pertained to the concept of love triangles and the loved and beloved. This theory of love is demonstrated through the characters in her novella, the main characters being; cousin Lymon, Miss Amelia, and Marvin Macy. In the beginning of the novella, Lymon was a stranger to the small town who convinced Miss Amelia that he was her cousin. Despite his grotesque appearance, Miss Amelia falls in love him making her the lover and in return, Lymon plays the role of the beloved. Lymon did not repay her with the love, instead he chose to stay with her and accepted all the valuables she offered him. Another side of the love triangle takes …show more content…
Lymon played a large part in the creation and success of the café. He was a very talkative person, drawing the attention of the townspeople to the café to socialize with him. Miss Amelia began to love him even more and gave him everything, soon after, Lymon took advantage of Miss Amelia’s generosity and feelings, “He had her confidence in the most delicate and vital matters… He took money from the cash register, whole handfuls of it… He owned almost everything on the premises, Miss Amelia would prowl about it and find him some present so that now there was hardly anything left close at hand to give him.”(McCullers 37). It is evident, that Miss Amelia craved love and affection from Cousin Lymon. She resulted in giving him her most valuable possessions in hopes he would have feeling for her. Furthermore, just as Lymon took advantage of Miss Amelia, Marvin Macy took advantage of Cousin Lymon. When Marvin Macy came into town, Lymon was instantly intrigued by Marvin Macy and seemed to have feelings for him. Lymon endeavoured all his usual actions to receive attention, yet none seemed to work, “’Is the runt throwing a fit?’ he asked, and when no one answered he stepped forward and gave Cosuin Lymon a cuff to the side of his head. The hunchback staggered, then fell back on the ground. He sat where he had fallen, still looking up at Marvin Macy, and with great effort his ears managed one last forlorn little flap.” (McCullers 49) Lymon loved Marvin Macy even though he was very harsh and disrespectful to the hunchback. Lymon went as far as, destroying the café he once loved for Marvin Macy’s sake, since he became blinded by the love he developed for Marvin. To conclude, Lymon was both the lover and beloved when dealing with a need for affection, even when the relationship is