In the town there were two mutes, and they were always together. Early every morning they would come out from the house where they lived and walk arm in arm down the street to work. The two friends were very different. The one who steered the way was an obese and dreamy Greek. In the summer he would come out wearing a yellow or green polo shirt stuffed sloppily into his trousers in front and hanging loose behind. When it was colder he wore over this a shapeless gray sweater. His face was round and oily, with half-closed eyelids and lips that curved in a gentle, stupid smile. The other mute was tall. His eyes had a quick, intelligent expression. He was always immaculate and very soberly dressed. (Chapter 1)

Basic set up:

This is the beginning of McCullers's novel, describing the two mutes who are at the center of the story.

By beginning the novel with two mutes, McCullers is immediately directing her readers' attention to characters who are outsiders. It's hard not to be an outsider when you are unable to speak or communicate with the people around you.

The funny thing is that in this novel, the people who can speak don't do a particularly good job of it. McCullers, in fact, focuses on the way in which these mute outsiders are treated by the rest of the community, and—surprise, surprise—for the most part, it's not good.

The language of this passage is pretty straightforward and simple. McCullers's carefully chosen details, however, allow us to see clearly these two characters—and the contrasts between them.

One detail that does stand out, of course, is that these men are both mutes. But McCullers doesn't make a big deal about it: even though the two men may not be able to hear anything, or speak, in this passage they're just two dudes walking down the street who happen to be good friends.