member of the wedding, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “member of the wedding, the” mean?
The title of a 1946 novel by Carson McCullers, referring to a central character's intense desire to belong to and be part of a wedding party.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The title of a 1946 novel by Carson McCullers, referring to a central character's intense desire to belong to and be part of a wedding party.
A phrase used to denote someone who feels a profound, often desperate, sense of belonging or identification with a specific event or group, particularly one from which they are formally excluded. It can also refer to the novel itself, its adaptations, or its main character, Frankie Addams.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences. The cultural recognition of the novel and its Southern US setting may be slightly higher in American academic and literary circles.
Connotations
Connotes Southern Gothic literature, themes of adolescent alienation, loneliness, and the search for identity.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech; encountered almost exclusively in literary, theatrical, or academic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “member of the wedding, the” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun Title][Metaphor: Subject + feel/like + a member of the wedding]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “member of the wedding, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The play was **member-of-the-weddinged** onto the stage with great sensitivity. (Highly contrived, non-standard)
American English
- The novel **member-of-the-weddings** the experience of adolescent angst. (Highly contrived, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- She looked on **member-of-the-weddingly**, full of longing. (Non-standard, poetic)
American English
- He waited **member-of-the-weddingly** by the phone. (Non-standard, poetic)
adjective
British English
- She had a **member-of-the-wedding** yearning for acceptance.
American English
- He was in a **Member-of-the-Wedding** state of mind, feeling left out of the group.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, American studies, gender studies, and discussions of Southern Gothic or coming-of-age narratives.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used metaphorically by someone familiar with the book.
Technical
Used in theatre (as a play title) and publishing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “member of the wedding, the”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “member of the wedding, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “member of the wedding, the”
- Omitting the definite articles ('The...the').
- Using it as a common noun without contextual framing (e.g., 'She was a member of the wedding' is ambiguous).
- Confusing it with 'member of the wedding *party*', which is the standard term for a bridesmaid or groomsman.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a common phrase. It is primarily known as the title of Carson McCullers' 1946 novel and its subsequent stage and film adaptations. Its use outside of reference to this work is rare and metaphorical.
No, that would be incorrect and confusing. The standard term is 'member of the wedding *party*' (e.g., bridesmaid, groomsman). 'The Member of the Wedding' is a specific title referring to a character who is *not* an official participant.
The central theme is adolescent alienation and the profound longing to belong. The protagonist, Frankie Addams, feels intensely disconnected and pins her hopes for identity and connection on her brother's wedding.
Absolutely not. It is exclusively a literary and cultural reference with no application in business, legal, or technical jargon.
The title of a 1946 novel by Carson McCullers, referring to a central character's intense desire to belong to and be part of a wedding party.
Member of the wedding, the is usually literary, academic in register.
Member of the wedding, the: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˈmembər əv ðə ˈwɛdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˈmɛmbər əv ðə ˈwɛdɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To feel like] a member of the wedding (metaphorical use)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the lonely letter 'F' in 'Frankie' wanting to fit into the word 'Wedding'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CEREMONY; ALIENATION IS BEING AN UNINVITED GUEST; LONGING IS A PHYSICAL ATTACHMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the phrase 'The Member of the Wedding'?