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
A few weeks after the baby arrives, Buddy Williams and his family leave to go out west. Billie Jo doesn’t want the family to leave, especially the baby.
Although Buddy Williams is grateful for the help, he correctly discerns there is no work to be found in the region and therefore has to leave.