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 gets out of bed in the middle of the night, takes a few biscuits and her money, and leaves. She knows she will die if she stays put. Billie Jo walks to the train station, hoping to jump on unnoticed. The train approaches, and she jumps on. Although once she wanted to go east to meet the president, now she is headed west.
Billie Jo does the only thing she can think to do: head west. She leaves without a clear plan or even so much as a goodbye. This is a significant moment for her character as she sets off completely on her own for the first time.