60 pages • 2 hours read
Deb CalettiA Heart in a Body in the World
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
The Heart
Annabelle develops a fascination with the heart, which comes to symbolize physical and emotional strength throughout the novel. Many chapters begin with a list of facts about the heart that Annabelle notes in her Moleskine notebook. When Annabelle stops to see a doctor early on in her journey, the doctor reminds her, “You must remember that the heart is a muscle, too, and it can get as stressed as the others” (60). The doctor is referring to the physical strain of long-distance running on the human heart. However, this quote could also describe emotional stress and heartbreak. When Luke asks Annabelle why she is writing down facts about the heart, Annabelle explains, “It’s just… in there, and we never think about it. But when you do, you realize how important it is. It’s terrifying, you know, how much we count on this fist-sized muscle” (188).
Later, Annabelle tells Dawn Celeste she’s interested in studying the heart, possibly by becoming a surgeon. Annabelle loves science, but she’s not entirely sure she wants to be a surgeon, prompting Dawn Celeste to say, “I think you have studied the heart already. I think you will go on studying the heart, Annabelle, no matter what you do” (339). Even though Annabelle was talking about the physical heart, Dawn Celeste describes the heart symbolically, referring to the emotional journey Annabelle has endured.
Finally, by the end of the novel, Annabelle is aware of her heartbeat when she faces The Taker in court. Annabelle’s physical strength allows her to walk into the courtroom, but her emotions, all the pain, grief, and anger she feels in her heart, ultimately allow her to speak in front of the judge.
The Moleskine Notebook
Annabelle carries a Moleskine notebook and uses it to jot down facts about the heart, which often begin the chapters in this novel. The Moleskine notebook was a birthday gift from Annabelle’s best friend Kat before Kat died. When Kat gifts Annabelle the notebook, Annabelle thinks, “She’s always wanted a Moleskine like Kat’s. Kat writes lines in it that she wants to use in her short stories. Annabelle doesn’t know what she’ll put in hers” (90). Once Annabelle begins her cross-country run, she gets the idea to write down facts about the heart, as well as facts about science, history, and animals. Whereas Kat preferred creative writing, Annabelle loves science. The Moleskine notebook helps Annabelle feel connected to Kat and allows her to explore and reflect upon her own interests.
Saint Christopher
Annabelle’s family is Italian Catholic. Grandpa Ed immigrated to the United States from the town of Gallarate when he was 12. The patron saint of Gallarate is “Saint Christopher, who watches over travelers, children, and bachelors, and protects against storms, holy death, and toothaches” (73). Because of Grandpa Ed’s heritage, Saint Christopher is especially important to Annabelle’s family, particularly because he protects travelers, which connects to Annabelle as she travels across the country. On her birthday, Gina gives Annabelle a medal engraved with Saint Christopher to protect her on her journey. Annabelle hangs the medal from the lamp by her bunk in Grandpa’s RV. Although Annabelle is not religious, she appreciates the gesture and knows it represents her family’s love and support. However, the medal can’t save Annabelle from experiencing trauma, and after a particularly difficult day, she notes how the “Saint Christopher medal shines in the moonlight, but even a saint seems small and powerless against what’s coming” (320). Nevertheless, Annabelle carries the medal in her pocket when she delivers a speech at Carnegie Mellon. Annabelle may not believe that the saint can literally protect her against all harm, but because the medal represents her family, it gives Annabelle strength.
Wolf Tree
Toward the end of the novel, Luke tells Annabelle he wants to take her to see a wolf tree at a national park. Luke describes the wolf tree as the lone survivor of a natural disaster. He explains, “Out there by itself, it gets damaged bad, usually from being hit by lighting. It should be dead… you can see that it’s been damaged in the past” (342). Annabelle thinks the tree sounds ugly, but Luke insists it’s beautiful. When Annabelle and Luke finally visit the tree, Luke points out where the tree was struck by lightning. Annabelle notes, “There’s a distinct black gouge, the mark of a terrible moment in its life” (354), but at the top of the tree, growth spurts indicate that the tree is still alive and growing. Annabelle thinks, “That tree is ruined but not ruined. Rooted, in spite of the storms and the ice” (354).
The wolf tree is a symbol for Annabelle. Annabelle witnessed a terrible tragedy, and the mark of that event will always be a part of her. Similarly, the wolf tree will always have a mark where it was struck by lightning. But Annabelle is learning that she can still grow, thrive, and be happy despite her past. She is inspired to see that the tree is still growing despite the destruction it has endured. This trip to the wolf tree is the last scene in the novel, and it provides the narrative a hopeful conclusion.
