The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1940

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Access Full Guide

Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-6

Part 2, Chapters 1-7

Part 2, Chapters 8-15

Part 3, Chapters 1-4

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

How do the themes of the poem “The Lonely Hunter” compare with the themes of the novel? Why did McCullers choose the work of a Scottish poet to represent a story of the American South?

Although McCullers divides her chapters to focus on individual characters, her central protagonist is John. Why does McCullers highlight John as the central character?

How do Bubber and Mick’s coming-of-age stories parallel each other? How are they different? What does McCullers imply about the future of these characters?