Sense of Community in Literature

Paper Summary:

This place examines how the cafe in "Ballad of the Sad Cafe" and the porch in "Their Eyes Were Watching God" both represent people existing as part of a community. It looks at how, in both cases, the main character is struggling to balance their need to be part of that community with their own individual needs. The various functions of the two community settings are discussed in order to show how the community setting is a place that is the opposite of loneliness and alienation, a place where people are judged, and a place where the conflict between your needs and the needs of society plays out.

From the Paper:

"The community setting can be considered as a place that represents the opposite of alienation and loneliness. When individuals are in this community place, they become connected to the larger society rather than disconnected from it. Fowler (260) notes that a dread of isolation is apparent in Ballad Of The Sad Cafe. This is seen in the character of Amelia, who is initially known as a distant and unfriendly person. Due to this part of her nature, she remains disconnected from the larger society and alone because of this. This changes when Cousin Lymon becomes part of her life. He initially meets people in Amelia's store, where a gathering of the town takes place. This meeting represents the point where Amelia begins to become socially connected."

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