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28. On The Road With Arley
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 July 1934, the Panhandle gets a quarter inch of rain, which is great news for Billie Jo and her family. Not only does it help the plants, but it also puts Billie Jo’s mother in good spirits. When the rain comes, Billie Jo’s mother stands outside naked and lets it wash over her body. She does not realize that anyone sees her, but Billie Jo watches as the rain drips off of her mother’s pregnant belly.
This is the first time in a long time that Billie Jo’s region has experienced rain that is actually helpful. Billie Jo’s mother literally lets the moment wash over her; such occurrences are few and far between, and she wants to savor ever second of it. The rain symbolizes hope, and the rain dripping off of Billie Jo’s mother’s pregnant belly highlights this symbolism: the baby is also, in a way, a hope for the family’s future.
Themes
