The Number 7 (Symbol)
Some people have special things which bring them luck. Our heroine Novalee does not believe in luck from her childhood, but she believes that failure always follows her, especially when she meets the number seven. Her mother abandoned her when she was seven-years-old; she is seventeen-years-old now, and she is pregnant. In Wal-Mart she gets $ 7.77 change and her boyfriend abandons her there. The number seven, which indicates luck in other contexts, is a symbol of failure for her.
Buck Eye Tree (Symbol)
We know about Novalee’s bad luck, but when she stays to live in Sequoyah, Benny Goodluck gives her a Buck Eye Tree, which serves as a symbol of luck. Initially, a Buck Eye Tree withers and its leaves fall. It seems that Novalee will never meet her luck, but when she plants her tree near Thelma’s house and begins to take care of it, the tree returns to life in what seems like a miracle. Novalee finally finds many friends, true love, and happiness.
Belief (Motif)
Almost all characters within the novel have clear dreams or life goals. Novalee desires to be happy with her daughter Americus and to grant her daughter luck, which she has never had. Her best friend Lexie dreams to find a person, who will love her and protect her children. Forney Hull dreams of becoming educated. Willy Jack wants to be a rock star. It is good to have a goal, but desire for being happy and successful is not enough. People should believe in their efforts, according to this narrative, and readers can see that all the main personages have this belief. Only faith in strength of mind can help one to achieve lifelong dreams.
