Where the Heart Is Themes & Symbolism

Where the Heart Is Significant Topics

Heart

The heart theme centers on what Novalee tells Willy Jack about feeling the baby's heartbeat in the first chapter. Her words come back to Willy Jack at his lowest times, such as when the Indian has to revive his heart. A few of her words make up the book's title. Her words inspire him to write in prison the song, "The Beat of a Heart". While Novalee has a good heart, Willy Jack has a cold one, and he tries to drown out Novalee's words with alcohol and drugs. After he has hit rock bottom and realizes what he has done, he acknowledges Novalee's words.

The heart is used in relation to Novalee in terms of heartbreak over Sister's death and Moses' remark that she takes pictures with her heart. When Novalee finds Americus after the kidnapping, their hearts beat together. Because of Forney, Novalee buys a heart key chain....
(read more)