Where the Heart is

A detailed Summary of Where the Heart is

Novalee is unlucky. She's seven months pregnant, homeless and headed to California for an unknown reason. Her dreams of houses, family and love seem far away. Willy Jack wants money. He craves boozes, sex and freedom. He finds himself jobless, with a pregnant girlfriend, and a beat up Plymouth destined for California. In the Billie Letts novel, Where the heart is the American dream involves family, friends, and material goods. Both Novalee and Willy Jack are in search of their dreams, the success of which relies on the decision they make along the way.

Family is an important part of Novalee's dream. Novalee's childhood was filled with sadness. Her mother deserted her when she was young and thereafter, she bounced between foster homes until she met Willy Jack. In Willy Jack, Novalee believes she finds love. To her disappointment she does not. However, she finds happiness the baby that they made. Her baby becomes center of strength and her good fortune. "She ran her fingers across her navel and thought of the baby attached to the other side of it, imagining it could feel her touch so that it might even reach out to her." Page 53. Americus brings Novalee, the love and family she wants.

Willy Jack pursues enormous wealth at the sacrifice of his health. His first moneymaking scheme had him headed for California. Where he heard his cousin J. Paul had made a lot of money working for Union Pacific Railroad. However, J. Paul wealth was a workers compensation payment for the baby finger he lost while working. Willy Jack intended on sacrificing his baby finger as well. "For Willy Jack, a southpaw, the little finger of his right hand was absolutely useless. And it was the one he would sacrifice, the one he intended to trade for greyhounds and race horses." Page 10.

Novalee cherishes the help and support friends provide during her pursuit of the American Dream. Through the help and guidance of her friends she is able to excel all aspects of her life. From Moses, a strong, black photographer she is explores her creative flare. She gains respect from her community by winning the Greater Southwestern Kodak photography contest. "She was named Employee of the Week at Wal-Mart, the First National Bank sent a card of congratulations, and the art teacher at the high school asked her to come to his classes to speak." Page 216. Novalee takes picture of her friends who helped her towards her dream, so she never forgets them.

In search of material goods, Novalee dreams of a house for her family. Novalee does not wish for large mansions, extravagant cars or design

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Approximate Word count = 935
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels