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 notices “a raised spot” on her father’s nose. Apparently, he has a few spots just like it on his head and neck. Billie Jo wonders why her father is “fooling around” because she knows her grandfather had similar spots.
The raised spots on Billie Jo’s father’s nose are likely skin cancer. The fact that Billie Jo’s father will not go to the doctor to get them examined implies that he does not care if he lives or dies.