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
Arley offers Billie Jo a job playing piano with his band, the Black Mesa Boys. He has connections in nearby towns where he and his band play, netting them a little cash. At first, Billie Jo’s mother does not want to let her go. However, when she learns Billie Jo will get paid for the gigs, she changes her mind. She asks Vera, Arley’s wife, to keep an eye on Billie Jo and keep her out of trouble. She also makes Billie Jo promise that her piano playing will not get in the way of her chores.
Although Billie Jo’s mother does not like to encourage her daughter’s piano career, she knows the family needs money, and, for the moment, letting Billie Jo perform is the only way to get some. Even though Billie Jo is going to be the family’s sole source of income for some time, her mother still expects her to maintain her other responsibilities.
Themes
Billie Jo travels around with Arley and his band, making money as she goes. The pay isn’t much, but it’s something. Billie Jo gives the money to her mother, who hides it away. Billie Jo could care less about the money—she’s just happy to be playing the piano. When Billie Jo is spending time with Arley and the band, she doesn’t have a care in the world. They have a great time together and she loves being on the road.
Billie Jo’s time with Arley and the Black Mesa Boys is one of the few comforts she has, and she relies on it to keep her upright in such trying times. It is also an important moment for Billie Jo’s coming-of-age journey, as she gets to spend some time away from her family with adults. Of course, she is still supervised, but these moments give her an opportunity to experience more of the world.
Themes
