Out of the Dust Quotes

Find the perfect quote to float your boat. Shmoop breaks down key quotations from Out of the Dust.

Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

Those men, [Mr. Noble and Mr. Romney] / they used to be best friends. / Now they can't be civil with each other. (2.4)

The Home Quotes

Someday I'm going to walk there too, / through New Mexico and Arizona and Nevada. / Someday I'll leave behind the wind, and the dust / and walk my way West / and make myself to home in that distanc...

Dissatisfaction Quotes

From the earliest I can remember / I've been restless in this / little Panhandle shack we call home. (1.4)

Guilt and Blame Quotes

Daddy named me Billie Jo. / He wanted a boy. / Instead, / he got a long-legged girl / with a wide mouth / and cheekbones like bicycle handles. (1.3)

Suffering Quotes

As summer wheat came ripe, / so did I, / born at home, on the kitchen floor, / Ma crouched, / barefoot, bare-bottomed / over the swept boards, / because that's where Daddy said it would be best. (1...

Mortality Quotes

Ma tried having other babies. / It never seemed to go right, except with me. (1.5)

Transformation Quotes

By the summer I turned nine Daddy had / given up about having a boy. / He tried making me do. / I look just like him, / I can handle myself most everywhere he puts me, / even on the tractor, / thou...

Art and Culture Quotes

He got a redheaded, freckle-faced, narrow-hipped girl / with a fondness for apples / and a hunger for playing fierce piano. (1.3)

Poverty Quotes

At least [the rabbits] didn't end up in / Romney and Noble's cook pots. / They went to families / that needed the meat. (2.4)

Perseverance Quotes

She was distracted enough, / I was determined enough, / this time I got just what I wanted. / Permission to play at the Palace. (5.3)