One of the themes of the story is the movement from childhood to adulthood, a key component of which is acceptance of change. Mrs. Jordan attempts to shield her children from the changes brought on by the depression. She only allows her son and daughter to play by themselves in the yard, and not with other children. She further sets her daughter apart from the general populace by forcing her to wear damp ringlets and white shoes, in contrast to other children her age, whose parents are too concerned about making money to bother with matters of appearance.

Yet the Jordans' daughter demonstrates time and time again that she is ready to break away from her mother's cloistered world. Her father serves as his daughter's mentor in this regard. When his wife is trying to fit their daughter into old clothes that do not suit her...