Heartless

Cath, Meyer’s reimagined Queen of Hearts, is the novel’s protagonist. Cath is the only daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, high-ranking members in the court society of Hearts. Throughout the novel, Cath is primarily motivated by her desire to fulfill her dreams, whether that be opening a bakery or a having life with Jest. At first, Cath’s primary conflict is between following her own heart or appeasing her parents’ expectations. As the novel progresses, the conflict escalates to one between pursuing true love with Jest or accepting the power that a marriage proposal from the King would bring Cath.

Cath begins the novel a passionate, driven young woman, whose primary goal is to open a bakery with her best friend, Mary Ann. Cath feels unsupported by her parents and unable to go to them for help with her plans, as they expect Cath to fulfill the role of a noblewoman. Cath is unhappy with the thought of marrying the King, but at the same time, she questions whether she could truly say no: “With [Cath’s] father there, and her mother, and the dear, sweet King of Hearts, and all their hopeful eyes focused on her…she knew that she would undoubtedly say yes [to the King’s proposal]” (135).