Metaphorical Heart

The author uses this theme to allude to the symbolism of the heart, the organ that lies at the center of a person and represents their capacity to love and be loved. After his death, Simon's heart is transplanted into Claire's body, posited as perhaps the greatest act of generosity a person can commit, passing alone a new opportunity for life.

From the beginning of the novel, the heart is placed in this position as the very core of life- the organ that makes Simon a living, breathing human being. In the lengthy first sentence of the book, the narrator explains that “from the moment of his birth...this heart, which made him jump, vomit, grow, dance lightly like a feather or weigh heavy as a stone, which made him dizzy with exhilaration and made him melt with love...nobody really knows it; only a...