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Ok, my computer does not have word on it at the moment. So that I have spell check and can read my sentences outside of a notepad I will be typing it in here...

Andrew Wagner 1/12/10
AP Lit Block 5

Confidant is Necessity

The confidant is a necessity for good health. The worry and hardship of the day is not released until it is shared with another. In this, the confidant may hold the balance between life and death from insanity. In The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Carson McCullers, the main protagonist, Singer, is the confidant to all the other characters. This connection forms unbreakable bonds between Singer and his "children",and the glue lies in confidentiality.
Singer's first "child" is a man named Jake Blount. Jake is misunderstood by most of the people in town. No one pays any attention to the drunken idiot, except Singer. When Jake realizes Singer is not making fun of him, he becomes immediately attached. Singer kindly listens to Jake, and leaves no comments, for he is a mute. Jake interprets this to be understanding, and makes Singer into a false idol of an all knowing soul. This comforts Jake, and allows him to reach inner peace. Jake then follows Singer as a shadow, never leaving his friend for to long.
Biff enjoys the company of Singer based on a personal flaw. Biff has an odd fondness for handicapped individuals. He is generous toward Singer without expecting token. This draws Singer in, so that Biff can now relay his story to him. In the same way, Singer politely listens to the man, and Biff puts him on the pedestal. Biff thinks of Singer as almost a second spouse, not sexually but supportive. This is seen in the bar, the night Jake was injured, when Singer gladly helped Biff in finding shelter for Jake. it also is evident when Singer dies, Biff responds in a similar manner to when his own wife, Alice, died. Biff was able to think about children when he knew Singer. He felt fatherly love toward Mick at this time. But when Singer died, the feeling was gone, as though he must find a spouse before he thinks about such things.
Mick looks to Singer as almost a fatherly figure. In the start of the novel Mick does not seem to have parents. The one person we see her communicate with frequently is Singer. She prefers to be alone more than with her family, but not for Singer. She wants to tell him of all the terrible and amazing things that has happened to her. After she and Harry had sex, all she wanted was to find Singer and ask for advice. She did not turn toward her own parents, because she did not trust them with the heavy burden. This begins to show their bond. The radio is the second element in this relationship. Singer buys a radio with the intention of helping his guests in his silent room. None are more pleased with the accessory than Mick. Her love for music allows this gift to mean the world to her. her own parents could not afford this, so as a grandma or grandpa would spoil her, in her eyes Singer has done just that. Singer is also a father figure when Mick gets her first job. She asks Singer what is best when the complicated decision of taking up a job is purposed.
Dr. Copeland is his final follower. He has a small grudge against all white people. He feels as though they can not be trusted for their "kinds" previous injustice. In this racism, he is reluctant to meet with Singer. On his course of duty, he agrees to converse with the mute. In speaking with the man who can not refute, Dr. Copeland finds his prejudice wash away. This is the first white man he has ever felt calm and joyous with, and it will be the only white man.
The need for isolated sanctuary with Singer appears when all the "children" arrive at the house together. They act in a queer manner, not knowing what to do. They talk about the weather and other irrelevant things, and this strikes Singer as odd. This reveals two silent truths. Singer is not as knowledgeable as his guests think he is, for he would have been able to understand this need for confidentiality. This also shows that without Singer being their own personal journal, the refuse to write more in his chapters.
When Singer dies, most of the disciples return to their former selves. Jake leaves town to find another Singer. He looks for a companion who can understand him. Biff leaves his dreams of having a family behind. He no longer sees Mick as the child he wishes to have. Dr. Copeland is forced back into "slavery" kicking and screaming. He feels as though he will never remove racial oppression. Mick, however, learns from her confidant, and becomes a better person because of him. She finishes paying off the radio, keeping a part of him with her. She also remains in her job as he had suggested.
The effect of a confidant on those who confide in him can be dramatic. Each character found different comforts in Singer, helping them life another day. They took his "words" as wisdom, and molded their lives around this knowledgeable man. But, without confidentiality the confidant is useless, and as ordinary as any other member of society.