The Ballad of the Sad Café, Carson McCullers
1. List the adjectives referring to the snow as opposed to those describing the house. What do you notice ?
Drawn, bleak look, dirty crooked houses, snow not white, soft colours, blue and silver The snow did not make things look any better than before, the houses still look terrible.
2. What’s the impact of the snow on the people ?
Different reactions. Amelia pretended nothing had happened. Cousin Lymon chased around in the wildest excitement, Marvin Macy laid claim to the snow. The children were timid. Reverend Wilkin was furious. Most people were humble and glad. A few demoralized and sad.
3. Which sentence best explains Amelia’s attitude to the snowfall ?
p. 69 It was simply that she was unable to form … ignore it.
4. Explain why Amelia made no protest when Marvin Macy settled down at her place .
She was afraid to be left alone.
5. Did Amelia try to get rid of Marvin Macy ?
Yes, on many occasions but everything rebounded on her.
6. Give rational explanations fo Amelia’s failing to do so.
She doesn’t know what to do, how to cope. This situation is new to her. Until now she has never had to take somebody’s feelings into consideration but now she loves Cousin Lymon and she knows that he will leave her if she kicks Marvin Macy out.
7. Find a symbolic explanation.
People do any crazy thing out of love for somebody. – or – You can’t get rid of Evil.
8. Which sentence evokes popular superstition ?
p. 73 There were just signs that were too plain to be overlooked.
9. Pick out two sentences showing Lymon’s presence is tolerated by Marvin Macy.
p. 70 He followed Marvin Macy all day p. 73 He was constantly plucking at Marvin Macy’s trouser leg.
10. Which passage shows Lymon’s admiration for Macy ?
p. 70 He followed … What a dust we raise..
11. Find the sentence showing that for Lymon Marvin Macy has totally supplanted Amelia.
p. 73 Sometimes he followed in Miss Amelia’s footstep – but these days it was only in order to imitate her awkward long-legged walk ;
12. Explain « he laid claim to the snow fall ».
Since he had seen snow before in Atlanta he acted as if he « owned » the snow. He did not feel suprised or interested. He made fun of children.
13. Study Marvin Macy’s way of singing. What symbolism is implied ?
Wet, slimy, spit in his mouth, glided like eels. Evil, the snake.