The Last Ballad Summary
Wiley Cash

The Last Ballad Overview

Wiley Cash's novel, The Last Ballad, is the story of Ella May Wiggins, a woman who had faced hardships throughout her life. She joins union organizers in the hope of creating a fair working environment and fair pay for textile mill employees. Ella struggles through the collapse of a bad marriage, the death of her son, and the constant threat of starvation, holding onto the hope of a brighter future. The novel's main themes are the effects of prejudice, the need for hope, and the the corrupting influence of power.