Out of the Dust

by Karen Hesse

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Student Question

In Out of the Dust, how does Billie Jo's father differ from the man she met in the train's boxcar?

Quick answer:

Billie Jo's father differs from the man in the boxcar as he is stoic and indirectly blames Billie Jo for her mother's death, leading to their estrangement. In contrast, the man in the boxcar openly acknowledges his failures and had family support during hard times. Seeing the man's family photo makes Billie Jo realize she has left her father alone, prompting her decision to return and reconcile with him.

Expert Answers

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By the time that Billie Jo meets the man on the boxcar, she and her father are at such incredible odds that it seems as though they may never reconcile. It is clear to Billie Jo that against his better judgement, her father clearly blames her for the death of her mother. For this reason, she must move on from him.

The man in the boxcar is very forthcoming with his failures, which contrasts hugely with Billie Jo's own stoic father. However, the biggest difference is that when the man in the boxcar fell on hard times, his wife's family was able to take them in while the man went out to look for work. It is when Billie Jo sees the photo of the man's family that she realizes she has left her father all alone. What she fears the most, she has inflicted upon her only surviving relative. It is at this point that she decides to return and reconcile with her father.

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