About Heather Lindsay

Heather Lindsay is best friends with Jodie Cantrell, the main character in A Death In Hartsend. Both are fourteen year old white females entering the newly desegregated Hartsend High in the fall of 1970. Outward resemblances end there. Where Jodie is outspoken and impatient, Heather presents as being reserved and well organized. She’s the kind of person who finishes wrapping holiday gifts by early fall. Although she’s not an athlete, she has a keen interest in sports as an observer. Her secret ambition is to major in journalism at college, then become a sportswriter.

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Appearance: 

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Compared to other girls in town, Heather dresses modestly. She doesn’t wear revealing tee shirts and seldom wears jeans. Her thick, curly hair is generally pulled back into a clip. She doesn’t wear earrings or use any kind of make-up. 

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Dialogue Style: 

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Heather speaks with a Kentucky accent, using local expressions. Slang or the occasional sports term might sneak into her conversation, but only if she’s talking with someone like Jodie.  

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Personality traits: 

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Sincerity, loyalty, diligence. Once Heather gives her word or her heart to someone, it’s unlikely she will change her mind. This leads to problems in the story when the normally cautious Heather develops a wild crush on Ed Denton (see Relationships).

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Backstory: 

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Heather is the middle child in her family, a daughter sandwiched between two sons. She’s grown up knowing a lot will be expected of her. For example, the family assumes Heather will take on her mother’s role one day in terms of family gatherings. Her father also wants Heather to work at his insurance practice once she finishes high school.

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There are additional expectations beyond the ones at home. Lee Bullard, the deputy sheriff in Hartsend, is a relative of Heather’s mother. It’s unthinkable to the Lindsays that anyone in their family could be in trouble with the law. Before she enters Hartsend High, Heather thinks so, too.

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Relationships:

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Her friendship with Jodie gives Heather a much-needed outlet to vent her frustrations and talk about her dreams. The two friends attend sports events with Jodie’s Uncle Art, the coach at Hartsend High. While they watch the games, Jodie and Heather have plenty of time to chat. They talk about sports strategies, boys, starting high school, favorite T.V. shows, and boys.

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After school starts, Heather develops a crush on a senior, Ed Denton. This creates tension between her and Jodie, who thinks Ed will try to use Heather. The two friends attend a Hartsend High football game where a referee blatantly discriminates against a Black player. Ed convinces Heather to help him plan a protest. Heather hopes this will cement their relationship. Ed flees the protest at the first sign of trouble, while Lee Bullard takes Heather into custody.

Motivations and Goals:

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At the start of the narrative, Heather keeps her motivations and goals a secret from everyone but Jodie. She knows the future she wants is very different from the one her parents expect for her. Heather knows they won’t be pleased with her choices, and she wants to put off telling them for as long as possible.

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Meeting Ed Denton changes her personal timeline. Her feelings for him lead Heather to abandon her usual reserve. She begins to dress more casually, imitating girls Ed has dated. They begin spending time together, which leads to her involvement in the protest. Heather doesn’t blame Ed for his behavior at the protest. When the school puts her in detention, Heather treats it as a badge of honor. To her way of thinking, it’s proof of her devotion to Ed.

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Character Arc:

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Heather starts out a dutiful if somewhat repressed daughter. She has talents and aspirations that are not discussed because they don’t fit her family’s narrative. It comes as a surprise to her parents that Heather would be involved in a school protest. They shrug it off as a mistake that won’t be repeated, but Heather sees things differently. She views the protest as the first step of a life path she wants to pursue. For her, there is no going back.

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