Hearts Unbroken

Hughie is Louise’s younger brother. Louise feels early in the story that she must tend to Hughie, especially because their mother is busy seeking two degrees; Louise takes him shopping for school and encourages him to get involved in extracurriculars. Hughie, a dynamic character, makes a wide turn in his character arc as he changes from a “shy, left-brained” student to one more outgoing; he seeks to perform in the musical, meet new people in the theater, and spend time with them, such as on Halloween. He shows moral fortitude and empathy as he learns about L. Frank Baum’s racist editorials. When Hughie chooses to give up his role, he teaches his family, friends, teachers, and sister that sometimes self-sacrifice is necessary to uphold one’s beliefs.

Mama serves as a mentor character archetype for her children, Louise and Hughie. Mama quit her job as a teacher to return to graduate school in seeking a law degree and Masters in Indigenous Studies. She demonstrates perseverance and the importance of fulfilling one’s highest calling. She mentors both Louise and Hughie indirectly in other ways as well: she chooses to not tell Hughie about L. Frank Baum’s racist role in the history of Native people, which positions Hughie to make the most organic decision he can regarding the musical. She also provides indirect advice regarding college admission essays and future paths to Louise, hinting that Louise might want to consider journalism but never pushing the topic. 

Louise’s father, a dentist, recently retired from the US Army. In Kansas, he works in a private dental practice. Louise’s father is a static character, offering jokes and advice. He demonstrates a high degree of care and concern for his family members, alluding in conversation with Louise to his struggle with missing them while stationed overseas, and purchasing the Hobbit-style village components to cement the bond he and Hughie generated over Tolkien while he was in the service.

Louise notices Joey when senior year begins. They are on The Hive staff together and attend the same A.P. Government class. Initially, Joey seems pompous and overconfident in his newspaper and video skills and talks down to Louise regarding their respective levels of experience. His good looks and charisma, however, are attractive to Louise, and as their relationship deepens, Louise learns that Joey is multifaceted and kinder than he projects. He has strong emotions about his parents’ divorce and wants the newspaper to be award-winning. Joey’s experiences reveal his deeper personality throughout the story.

Students Karishma, Daniel, Emily, Alexis, and Nick make up the rest of the writers and editors on the school newspaper staff, and Ms. Wilson is the teacher-advisor. Karishma is a strong leader and independent thinker, as editor, who advises the other staff members with her experience. Daniel serves as associate editor; he saves Peter Ney from committing more vandalism at the Wolfes’ house. Once Louise lets him know that she saw his car the night of the vandalism, however, Daniel changes his mind and recants his negative views on Ms. Wilson, which he was pressured by PART to state. Emily is a strong-willed, outspoken staff writer who encourages Louise to keep trying to apologize to Joey. Alexis is a staff writer who helps Louise find the Stu-Co Secretary when needed for a story. Nick is a copywriter on the staff who also contributes political-style cartoons; he draws the “Sting the Braves!” poster and the cartoon representing Hughie and L. Frank Baum facing off.

Ms. Wilson is a static character who sticks to her strong Freedom of the Press ideals and weathers disciplinary censure without outward bitterness, as she returns to the class and quickly sets the staff back to work.

Cam is Louise’s boyfriend at the start of the story; she describes him as her first serious boyfriend, and one who helped her to meet others upon moving to Kansas. Her feelings change, however, with his insensitive remarks at the after-prom brunch about his brother’s fiancé, who is Native Kickapoo. Louise breaks up with Cam by email, sending him into a prideful and vengeful attack on her reputation. According to Hannah, Cam’s new girlfriend during senior year, Cam needs “closure” from his relationship with Louise. After Louise apologizes for the way she broke up with him, Cam reverses his emotions, threatening the Wolfes’ anonymous harasser and vandal in a letter to the editor.

Shelby is Louise’s best friend. She works at the Grub Hub and must sacrifice school events and time with friends due to work. Her mother does not live with nor support Shelby, and her father’s pay goes to living expenses, so Shelby’s job is a necessity for future college expenses. Shelby prompts change in Louise’s character arc; when Louise cannot see her own selfish behaviors and self-absorbed actions, Shelby points them out, allowing Louise the wake-up call she needs to mend her relationship with Joey.

Mrs. Ney is the wife of the pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church. She is also spokesperson for Parents Against Revisionist Theater, which is against the color-conscious casting of The Wizard of Oz. Her comments to The Hive in an interview with Louise show a high degree of ignorance and intolerance for people of color. Mrs. Ney helped to orchestrate a book-banning process in the school library the previous year. Mrs. Ney is a static Shadow archetypal figure in the book, as she creates conflict for protagonist Louise.