48 pages • 1 hour read
Cynthia Leitich SmithHearts Unbroken
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Symbols for the Struggle Associated with Unexpected or Atypical Roles
Stepping into a new, unassigned, unexpected, or atypical role sometimes comes with challenges and conflicts. Physical objects throughout the novel symbolize this struggle for different characters and support the theme of “Stepping into Unexpected or Non-traditional Roles.” For example, when Mama elects to return to graduate and law school, she must sacrifice her beadwork. The beads symbolize her sacrifice of time and personal enjoyment, but they also represent the investment she makes toward her important goal of working for Indigenous families. Later, the beads also symbolize Hughie’s unexpected frustration with his role in the musical (when he discovers Baum’s racism) and his displaced anger with Mama (for not telling him up front about Baum). The beads seem to explode in a powerful storm in the laundry room when Hughie acts out in a moment of rage.
The Hobbit houses that Louise’s father orders and builds in the yard represent his desire to connect with Hughie in his new role as a retired veteran and make up for the time he feels he lost while stationed distantly.
To Nick, the feather he draws atop his cartoon image of Hughie symbolizes Hughie’s identity as Native, and the hashtag “#ndn” Louise suggests instead symbolizes how she hopes to recast that image of her brother from a stereotypical “Hollywood Indian” to an instructive role that invites others to learn more about Native groups.
Adults Whose Ignorance Precludes Their Role as Mentor
A motif in the novel that supports the theme “Inadvertent vs. Willful Ignorance” is recurring adult characters who show unawareness. These are characters who could or should serve as Mentor archetypal roles, but their unawareness and consequent disregard for others keeps them from being good teachers or role models. Mrs. Ney should model kindness and acceptance in her role as wife of the pastor at Immanuel Baptist, but instead demonstrates willful ignorance as spokesperson for PART. PART members pressure the staff of The Hive indirectly through threats to Emily’s father and Daniel’s coach. Mrs. Evans, the guidance counselor, should serve as a strong Mentor to whom students can turn for information and advice, but she shows her ignorance with the reference to Karishma’s “people in the Middle East” and feeling closer to them “on a spiritual level” through yoga (129). Even when Mrs. Evans tries to stick to prepared notes in the interview with Louise, she stumbles over language. Louise sees a Native woman in the Arts and Crafts Cooperative dressed as a “sensible” professional, but who wrongfully assumes Louise is not Native and makes smug remarks about the book on white actors.
Families of Acquaintances that Contrast Louise’s Own
Some family structures and family situations of several of Louise’s acquaintances contrast strongly with her own. This motif serves to strengthen the theme of “Lessons and Inspiration from Family” by juxtaposing those family backgrounds with hers. For example, Joey’s parents divorced, and he shares with Louise that he struggles with the emotional toll that took. Emily has four older brothers; one piece of advice she shares is that young adult males often resort to anger when they cannot process other emotions. Emily’s father’s solution to potentially losing floral business by PART’s pressure is to insist Emily drop the casting story. Peter Ney struggles in his relationship with his mother, according to Daniel. Shelby’s mother chose to leave her family, and Shelby must work hard hours at the Grub Hub to earn money for college. With each acquaintance, an element of conflict or struggle hampers potential life lessons and interaction between the acquaintance and his or her parents and/or siblings. Shelby points out to Louise that Louise has a strong, supportive family in comparison to many who do not, and Louise appreciates this reminder from her friend.
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz serves as an important symbol of racism against Native Americans throughout the novel. As the pun-driven chapter title, “The Man Behind the Curtain” suggests, this symbol is more about the racist editorials of the man behind the series, L. Frank Baum, than the content of the play. Louise also references The Wizard of Oz when she compares children dressed as “Hollywood Indians” to flying monkeys.
