The characters in My Heartbeat suffer not so much from physical isolation, but from a self-imposed emotional isolation. Ellen spends the majority of the novel trying to avoid any attention whatsoever from teachers, peers, and especially from her judgmental and intimidating father. Link goes a different route and punishes anyone who tries to get to know him too well, rewarding love with hostility or banishment. The fact that their isolation is self-imposed makes it seem unnecessary, and it can be painful to watch because so many of their problems could be solved by a simple heart-to-heart.
Questions About Isolation
- Why is Ellen so afraid of attention?
- Why does Link "banish" anyone who tries to get to know him? Why are his defenses so high?
- How is James's isolation different from Link and Ellen's?
- What role does communication play in characters' isolation? Do you notice any patterns?
Chew on This
Link and Ellen find a sense of comfort in their isolation.
Link and Ellen seek isolation as a source of comfort, but if they had people to talk to about their issues, their problems wouldn't seem so bad.