Final answer:
In literature, "with a heavy heart" typically signifies emotional distress or profound sadness experienced by a character.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "with a heavy heart" is commonly used in literature to convey a deep sense of sorrow or emotional distress. It implies that the character is feeling a significant amount of sadness or grief, as if their heart is actually heavier due to the burden of their emotions. In paragraph 42 of the story "Thumbelina" from Common Lit, when the phrase is used, it most likely refers to a situation where a character is feeling sadness or emotional distress rather than any sort of physical burden, joyful excitement, or spiritual enlightenment.