Where the Lilies Bloom

What is the theme in Where the Lilies Bloom by Vera Cleaver and Bill Cleaver?

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Ignorance and education are central themes to this story. Mary Call Luther is very concerned about being ignorant or being perceived as ignorant. As a mountain person and the daughter of a sharecropper, she has to overcome the perceptions that others have of ignorant, violent, poor mountain people. Mary Call does not want to be a person that fits the stereotype nor does she want any of her siblings to be. Mary Call sees a future for herself far from Trial Valley, and she knows that if she wants to be somebody someday, she needs to study hard and get a good education. Mary Call has respect for people who are educated, like her principal Miss Breathitt, because they are able to answer her questions.