Where the Heart Is | Techniques

Where the Heart Is Techniques

Letts follows in the tradition of a coming-of-age story for Novalee. The novel's structure consists of four parts. Significantly, each part focuses on Novalee's life only to conclude with Willy Jack's. At the end of Part One Willy Jack enters prison and befriends his own librarian guide who encourages him with his songwriting. He completes "The Beat of the Heart." Part Two moves Novalee into a steady position as Wal-Mart employee, making a living and a home for her and Americus, and her foray into photography. Simultaneously, Willy Jack is released from prison, heads to Nashville, and meets Ruth Myers, indicating his promised ascent to fame and success as Billy Shadow.

Part Three occurs three years later, with Novalee as an established photographer in her community. This section begins with Novalee heading West yet again, but this time with the purpose of accepting a photography award. Instead of...
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