Carson McCullers, in her "Preface" to The Square Root of Wonderful states that "my central theme is the theme of spiritual isolation. Certainly I have always felt alone” (1958:viii). By the same token, McCullers presents the themes of spiritual isolation and social disharmony with reference to somehow marginalised individuals who are alienated from society and doomed to lead miserable lives because of pre-established social and cultural codes shaped by prejudice and confinement in A Ballad of the Sad Café. The author portrays patriarchal gender norms in such a hostile and grim environment in the novella. Though love may be described as a symbol of joy, it may also be a tragic experience which results in disappointment and isolation. However, whether the theme of love in A Ballad of the Sad Café points to some possibilities of hope and relief or frustration and loneliness is debatable. The aim of this paper is to analyse the female and male characters in McCullers’ A Ballad of the Sad Café, and to discuss if these characters are doomed to fail and suffer, if they know or deny themselves/their identities, and to explore the constructive or destructive nature of love, the theme of isolation, loneliness, social disharmony, and patriarchal gender norms.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Carson McCullers, A Ballad of the Sad Café, Isolation, Loneliness, Female/Male Identity, Patriarchal Gender Norms
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