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

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.