Novalee Nation Is A Good Role Model

Everybody in society depends on a role model to look up to for advice. A role model must be able to influence an individual in a positive way. Being a role model does not necessarily mean the individual is responsible for the decisions one makes; it means that they are motivational. In Where the Heart Is, the author, Billie Letts, illustrates characters that can be looked up to as an example for the decisions one will make. Novalee Nation is a motivational individual that overcomes many obstacles. She examines the future to overcome the obstacles she faces. An examination of Novalee Nation's strength, her caring attitude, and responsibility towards other individuals in the novel proves that she is a positive role model to teenagers in society

today.
Novalee Nation is a strong individual who portrays a good role model in the novel.

To begin, she is able to pick herself up after events that usually bring sorrow. When Thelma Husband dies, Novalee holds together and accepts her passing although she was her support. Novalee Nation knows that she has to stay calm and pick herself up when she finds out that Sister is in the hospital: “Novalee learned early how to shut off the part of herself that wanted to cry, to scream… the par that wanted to rip out the tubes, pick sister up in her arms and carry her home” (Letts 235) By examining Novalee’s acceptance of the passing of Thelma Husband it is evident that she is a good role model to society today. Additionally, Novalee is able to stay composed when she encounters unexpected incidents. In the novel, Novalee’s daughter, Americus Nation, is stolen from her. When Novalee finds out about her daughter's missing, she does not blame other people for the occurrence. She does not panic, but stays calm all throughout the journey of finding her daughter. This event significantly shows strength because it is tragic

when one loses someone important to one, but Novalee Nation is able to stay composed all throughout the search for her daughter. Finally, although Novalee is abandoned by her boyfriend, Willy Jack, she is able to take care of herself and seek help when she needs it. Novalee sleeps in Walmart because it is safe while her pregnancy, although, it is a public place. Meanwhile, she hides her location due to the judgements she would receive if she told others where her home is, Walmart. During the event, strength is depicted because it is hard to keep a secret from others when it is part of day to day life. A role model should be able to withstand tragic events, therefore, Novalee is examined as a role model due to her strength when she overcomes the events.
A good role model can be depicted through Novalee’s caring attitude towards other characters in the novel.

Firstly, during Novalee’s pregnancy, she shows affection towards her baby although she does not have support from anyone at the time. When travelling to California, Novalee feels her stomach to find the baby’s heartbeat. This depicts her caring attitude because although she does not have any support, as a caring mother, she makes sure that she is taking care of the baby and herself. Moreover, Novalee does anything to make others feel loved and cared for. In the novel, Benny Goodluck confesses to Novalee that he has not had his first kiss. When Novalee realizes his embarrassment, she decides to kiss him, over looking the age difference between the both of them. Novalee did this because Benny is a important individual to her as he helped her previously. By the gesture of kissing Benny on the lips, it is clear that Novalee is caring because she focuses on individuals happiness, proving that she has a caring attitude towards others. Lastly, Novalee Nation is able to forgive the bad choices others have made, and cares for them. For instance, when Novalee finds out that Willy Jack is in the hospital, sha takes action right away. Novalee stops what she is doing and rushes to meet up with Willy Jack: “Novalee didn’t do her laundry or her hair. She made two quick calls, then got Americus up and took her to Moses’ and Certains” (Letts 347). Novalee’s caring attitude can be

examined by realizing that she immediately hurries to the hospital to meet her boyfriend that has abandoned her. Through the event, it is clear that Novalee cares for everyone, including the boyfriend that has made an inconsiderate and rude choice in the past, showing that she forgvies people for the past and cares for individuals in the present.It is difficult to forgive someone, and forget the past, thus, this event is important to prove that Novalee is a caring character in the novel. Caring for someone involves affection towards another individual, and Novalee is successful in this task, as she cares for everyone all throughout the novel.
Responsibility needs to be evident in a role model. Primarily, Novalee Nation takes action immediately after the birth of her daughter, Americus. When Walmart hears that Novalee gave birth to a child in the store, promptly a job was offered to her at the superstore. Novalee accepts the job and begins shortly, knowing that she needs to move on after the birth of her child because she knows that she can not rely on others to get through life. She decides that she needs to make money for the both of them to stay alive, therefore, proving that Novalee is a responsible young adult who is looked at as a positive role model. Also, Novalee finds a way to keep her surrounding alive and in the best shape by knowing where to go to seek help. The buckeye that Novalee receives is in good shape but as days and weeks went by, the buckeyes health condition was not good. She does not give up on the tree and goes to the library to seek help: “ “ (Letts ). This event shows that Novalee does not rely on other people, thus, showing that she is responsible. In addition, Novalee takes care of chores that do not belong to her. In the novel, Thelma Husband’s car broke down unexpectedly, knowing that it has to be fixed, Novalee goes to the auto center in Walmart to get it fixed. She does this although the car is not hers, therefore, proving that she is responsible because she does things that she does not need to care for as the car is not hers. Novalee makes leaves time and helps others, meanwhile, she is struggling to pick herself up after being abandoned by her boyfriend. Responsibility does not come easy, therefore, it is an important attribute of a role model. `