Hearts Unbroken

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.