Where the Heart Is | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Where the Heart Is Key Questions

Letts's novel prompts a number of intriguing questions about America and the American success story. She asks us to consider what it means to be working class, how education works for and against us, and what has replaced traditional ideas and why.

After carefully reading the novel, consider some of the following questions: 1. Is Novalee Nation a contemporary hero?

What does she overcome that allows her to succeed? And what in her character or background allows her to be so self-motivated? Also consider other characters: Is Lexie a victim? Sister Husband a savior? Forney a mentor?

2. How does Willy Jack Pickins/Billy Shadow function as a character within the novel? His story parallels Novalee's, but for what reason? What does his story offer the novel that Novalee's alone does not?

3. Discuss some of the larger issues presented in the novel:...
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