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 February of 1935, Billie Jo goes to school and finds a family of five, including a pregnant woman, in her classroom. The pregnant woman’s husband explains to Miss Freeland and the class that he entered the school the previous night to seek shelter. The dust was too bad for them to sleep in their truck, especially for a woman carrying a baby. Miss Freeland tells them it is no problem, and they can stay as long as they like.
Like many people in the country, the pregnant woman and her family do not want to bother other people and only do so because they are desperate. Miss Freeland and the rest of the community understand their plight and, as always, show their charitable side by taking the family in. Her behavior points to the belief that this is just what they’re supposed to do.
Themes
