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15. Foul as Maggoty Stew
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 scores high on her state tests and rushes home to tell her mother. Her mother nods and says, “I knew you could.” Billie Jo knows her mother is proud of her but wishes she would show her excitement more. Her father gently tells her that that simply isn’t how her mother is as a person. Billie Jo understands but still wishes her mother would show more emotion when she does well.
Given that Billie Jo sacrifices piano opportunities for school, she wishes her mother would be proud of her achievements. The fact that she does not drives a wedge between Billie Jo and her mother. Meanwhile, Billie Jo’s father is the more understanding parent, who acts as an intermediary between his daughter and wife.
Themes
