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 rarely sees her musical friends like Arley and Mad Dog. However, when she does, they are always nice to her. They ask about her hands and her father. At this point, Billie Jo does not know what Mad Dog thinks of her. Usually, he is quiet, and Billie Jo is sick of quiet men. However, she still hangs around Mad Dog anyway.
Because Billie Jo does not play the piano anymore, she does not have anything to tether her to the broader community besides school. More than anything, she wants someone to talk to, but Mad Dog is evidently the wrong boy to be interested in for conversation.
Themes
