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
In Billie Jo’s closet, there are boxes containing all sorts of knick-knacks from her childhood. She always promised her mother she would go through them and get rid of what she didn’t need. However, now, she cannot bring herself to do it.
Revisiting the past is too difficult for Billie Jo, given the reality of her present. There are reminders of her mother everywhere, but Billie Jo cannot bring herself to fully engage with them.
Themes
