The Second Death of Locke

The heart serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing the intersections of magical power, love, and extreme vulnerability. Its primary manifestation is through Kier’s magical ability to lethally manipulate the heart muscle of his enemies. This power, while brutally effective, is also described as “clean” (9), but this grim paradox also highlights the idea that such power can be a deeply destructive burden. Kier’s capacity to stop a heart with a thought is the source of his military value, but this ability also ties his identity as a soldier directly to the organ that is most closely associated with love and life, creating a constant tension within his character. 

This connection is further deepened by the book’s mythology, which is rooted in sacrifice and devotion symbolized by the heart. This dynamic is illustrated by the text recovered from the Isle of Locke, which describes the binding ritual with the declaration, “My love is yours, as that which beats within my heart is yours” (39). This ancient verse explicitly links the heart to the ultimate expression of love and magical union, and by extension, this concept implicitly reframes Kier’s deadly power as an extension of his innate capacity for forging deep connections with others.