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3. Losing Livie
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
Arley Wanderdale, the music teacher at Billie Jo’s school, asks her to play piano at a place called the Palace Theatre the following Wednesday. Billie Jo immediately agrees, as she’s happy to be asked. However, she worries whether her mother will let her go. Billie Jo’s mother does not like when she goes out on school nights. Arley Wanderdale tells Billie Jo that she and a plow boy named Mad Dog Craddock are the first people who he thought of to perform. Billie Joe thinks Mad Dog is more talented than her but appreciates the compliment nonetheless.
Here, Billie Jo’s mother comes off as strict and somewhat dismissive of her daughter’s interest in piano. She cares more about Billie Jo’s education than her passion for music. However, Billie Jo knows this is a big opportunity for her. Given the rural life she leads, there are only so many moments when she gets to flex her skills in front of a live audience.
Themes
