Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Out of the Dust, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Nature, Survival, and the Dust Bowl
Poverty, Charity, and Community
Coming of Age
Family and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
Billie Jo thinks about her mother’s talents. Although she does not think her mother is attractive, Billie Jo is envious of how well she plays the piano. Billie Jo’s mother started teaching Billie Jo to play when she was just four years old. Billie Jo has played ever since but still is nowhere near as good as her mother. Luckily, she is good enough for Arley to keep giving her gigs.
Billie Jo does not idealize her parents; she notices their positive traits and their flaws, as well as how their interests and behaviors have rubbed off on her. Although Billie Jo is a lot like her father, the piano is something she and her mother share.
Themes
