Let’s explicate that piece of Carson McCullers dialog. There’s tons to learn from it, but today we’ll just focus on conflicting agendas and how she rings such a realistic, poignant note by keeping her characters firmly and clearly grounded in their separate agendas.
Doctor Copeland:
“I will not be hurried. Just let me be. Kindly allow me to sit in peace a moment.”. . .How could he leave when there was neither beginning nor end, neither truth nor purpose in his thoughts?. . .“Why have you done this to me?” he asked bitterly. “You know full well that I do not want to leave. You pressed me into saying yes when I was in no fit condition to make a decision. I wish to remain where I have always been, and you know it. . .I will not [recover elsewhere]. But I would have recovered here. I know it. Pshaw! Say what you will. You only come before me like a gnat. I know what I wish and will not be pestered into doing that which is wrong. I have always managed, and I could manage yet. Pshaw! You come before me like a gnat. And I ignore you. I am sorry. Forgive me, Daughter. I wish [you could be the one going], too. I just feel that I have failed. I do not know [how]. Just leave me be, Daughter. Just let me sit here in peace. . .”
He is crystal clear: his agenda is to stay in his home. His hidden agenda is to fight his feeling of failure. Failure over what?
Portia:
“Father, us not trying to rush you. But it time now to get gone from here.—I done all I can. He determined to sit there till he good and ready to leave.—[Father,] I reckon I going to have to dress you like a baby. Here your shoes and socks. Let me take off your bedroom shoes and put them on. We got to get gone from here pretty soon. What I done to you now? Listen to you carry on!” Portia said angrily. “You done grumbled so much that I nearly worn out. You done fumed and fussed so that I right shamed for you. Father, less us quit this here argument. Us have all done the best we know how. It entirely the best plan for you to go on out with Grandpapa and Hamilton and Buddy. They going to take good care of you and you going to get well. Who you think could pay the note on this here house? How you think us could feed you? Who you think could take care of you here? You just trying to be contrary. [Saying you ignore me] certainly is a nice way to talk to me while I trying to put on your shoes and socks. Course you sorry. Course we both sorry. Us can’t afford to quarrel. And besides, once we get you settled on the farm you going to like it. They got the prettiest vegetable garden I ever seen. Make my mouth slobber to think about it. And chickens and two breed sows and eighteen peach trees. You going to be crazy about it there. I sure do wish it was me could get a chance to go. How come you so determined to grieve? How you mean you done failed?”
She is also crystal clear: her agenda is to get him to safety. Her hidden agenda is to fight the inevitable change happening to them. What change?
Do you see how both characters’ speech is so single-minded it’s practically monologue? Only in a few places do they respond to each other. Even Doctor Copeland’s first question, “Why have you done this to me?” is rhetorical. He doesn’t really want an answer, as you can tell if you continue reading what he went on to say after that.
For the bulk of the conversation, Doctor Copeland only responds to Portia in order disagree with her and tell her he’s not listening to her. Then he goes right on with his own agenda.
For the bulk of the conversation, Portia only responds to try to change Doctor Copeland’s mind, to counter his arguments (to disagree back). However, it upsets her more to stick to her agenda than it upsets him to stick to his. She isn’t passive and bitter, as he is. She’s angry. And she’s having a terrible time controlling herself—she swings back and forth between conciliatory and angry, back and forth, without equilibrium.
But why is it harder for her than for him?. . .
Read the full essay on Pulp Rag.