McCullers's Theory of the Lover and the Beloved Anonymous 11th Grade

In Carson McCullers’ “The Ballad of the Sad Café”, his theory of love is a central theme, with different characters representing different roles. Lymon is a grotesque character, both in his physically deformed appearance and in his vulgar, manipulative behaviour, but despite this still plays the role of the beloved within McCuller’s theory of love. He cons Miss Amelia into letting him stay in her home and, later in the novella, takes advantage of her love for him to make her answer his every beck and call. Lymon takes pleasure in the misery and embarrassment of the townspeople, pulling strings to cause drama or fights for his amusement. When Marvin Macy arrives in town, Lymon becomes the lover for a change. However, he is not positively affected by this love. “The Ballad of the Sad Café” serves as a reminder that anyone is capable of loving even the most unlovable people, and that, in the same way, anybody can be the beloved of another, no matter how cruel they are to their lover.

As the beloved, Lymon exploits the love shown to him by Miss Amelia in order to get what he wants. He comes to find her at the beginning of the novella, claiming to be her cousin. However, as his manipulative side comes to light later on, it becomes...