Communication

"My father and I, we can't soothe each other. I'm too young, he's too old, and we don't know how to talk anymore if we ever did." Spring 1935 Page 153

Billie Jo and her father are similar in their mannerisms but they both have trouble expressing themselves to others. Billie Jo wants to be able to talk to her father. But it's hard for her. She's tried to talk to him before but he is standoffish and does not say much. Part of the problem is that Billie Jo's father is naturally quiet and doesn't say much. With the death of Ma makes it harder for him to open up to his daughter. You also have to remember that this novel takes place during the mid 1930's. It was a different time period back then. People didn't really talk about their feelings. Men didn't cry and didn't talk about their feelings at all. This is also part of the problem.