In Jodi Picoult's "Salem Falls," the quote emphasizes the profound emotional impact of trauma and stress on individuals. It suggests that a heart weighed down by countless stress fractures, symbolizing past wounds and experiences, cannot remain whole or unscathed. This imagery conveys that ongoing emotional pain inevitably leads to feelings of brokenness, affecting a person's ability to heal and function.
This reflection on the heart serves as a metaphor for...