Musical Lollipops

What happens if you wake up one morning, and you realize something about yourself or your family, that was not there, when you went to bed the night before?  In Debra Adams’ “No More Lollypops” Debra shares a relationship with her father which is both similar and different to that of the connection that Mick Kelly and her father experience in McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.  Through the analysis and comparison of the relationships, it can be demonstrated how Debra and Mick are turning into mature women and their relationship with their fathers is changing.   

In Debra Adams’ “No More Lollypops” told from Debra's point of view, it is apparent that the current relationship between her and her father is distant, because she is no longer her daddy's little girl.  Debra describes that when she was young, the relationship that she shared with her father was loving and caring. "And it seemed like nothing pleased me more than to ride on my father's shoulders, night after night." However, Debra illustrates that the connection between her and her father subsides to the point where there is no longer any affection or pride. "From him, no more hugs, no more kisses, no more pride in his voice when he introduced me to clients."   Debra chooses to tell her story from her own point of view, which makes “No More Lollypops” very personal.  In addition, the use of imagery portrays the connection Debra has with her father when she was younger and they would go downstairs for a snack.  There is a vivid image of the happiness Debra experiences when she jumps on her father’s back at night.   However, Debra's mood changes as she explains how "If I am hurt, if I need to cry, there is no more little girl left in me to run to daddy." It is apparent that Debra longs for the connection she once shared with her father.  She misses his comforting hugs and wants to be able to find reassurance in him, but they no longer share that special bond.  Debra narrates, “You have to stop holding onto the past and grow up.” This demonstrates her realization that growing up is inevitable. 

            The relationship that Mick Kelly from the Carson McCullers novel, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter has with her father, shares both similarities and differences with the relationship of Debra and her father.  Neither girl is presently close with her father.  However, in Mick’s case, her father is pursuing the relationship, and in Debra’s situation, she is the one seeking connection with her father.  Therefore, both relationships may be considered one sided and illustrate a weak bond between the daughter and the father.  Carson McCullers characterizes Mick’s father as a lonely man who is seeking his daughter to be someone to spend time with.  "And in his lonesomeness he wanted to be close to one of his kids" (85).  Mick's father tries to make a connection with his daughter to alleviate his feelings of isolation from his busy family.  As Mick matures, she is able to empathize with her fathers feelings of loneliness, thus her realization about her father’s unfortunate situation.  On the other hand, from “No More Lollipops” it can be inferred that Debra's father is a busy working man, from the reference to his clients.  When Debra is a young child, her father sets up a wonderful and loving relationship with his daughter, but brushes her away as she approaches adolescence.  This leaves Debra both melancholy and reminiscent.  In “No More Lollypops” Debra continues to seek her father’s love as she wishes that she can be "daddy's little girl all over again." Where Debra was at one time daddy's little girl, the relationship between Mick and her father is slowly improving with her father’s seek for a connection.

            It is apparent that both similarities and differences exist in the connections that Debra and Mick share with their fathers, and the way each relationship is portrayed in the literary works. Debra Adams’ “No More Lollipops” and Carson McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter reflect how the two girls become more contemplative.  Mick and Debra’s introspection is the key to their maturity and their acceptance of their current relationship with their fathers.