The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
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Singer's relationship to his Greek companion...
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Meika
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:58PM)
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Nov 26, 2007 06:09PM

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At the very least, whether Singer and Antonapoulos are gay or not, I think the novel suggests that sex is simply not enough. All the characters have an overwhelming desire for human contact that sex doesn't seem to be able to satisfy. I think this is most obvious in Mick's case, but also really visible in John Singer.


Anyone have any idea if the connotations of Greek love were still the same when McCullers wrote the book?



He shunned and was shunned by the other deaf/mutes in the town where his friend was institutionalized (of course he had just heard of Antonapoulos' death). Even in that time period there were resources for the deaf he could have sought out.
Anyway thanks for the thread - even though my comment is six years late!


The thing that struck me was the angle on black issues. I've read my share of black litt and never recall this book being referred too. Maybe because she was white? Interesting themes from a young girl growing up in the south.

My personal opinion was that they were platonic but in love. There is a scene where Singer meets other deaf people but he's too distraught to sign to them. To me, that signifies that his suicide wasn't because of his loneliness of being deaf, but his love for Antonapoulos.
In her next book "Reflections in a Golden Eye", McCullers goes deep into the psyche of a closeted army major who is obviously gay, but doesn't understand it or himself. I can't help but relate him to Singer.

I love the story & even thought the movie was good. I can't wait to read it again.

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