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6. On Stage
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
Because of her excellent performance at the Palace Theatre, Arley asks Billie Jo to perform at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s birthday celebration. Billie Jo knows her mother will have to let her go because it is for the president, even though he will not actually be in attendance. Rather, the purpose of the event is to gather money for charity. However, it is Billie Jo’s goal in life to play for F.D.R. in person one day, perhaps at the White House.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States, as well as the only president elected to a fourth term. He is known for leading the United States out of the Great Depression and is one of the country’s most beloved presidents. However, in 1934, he was still relatively new to the job, as he took office in March 1933.
Themes
