Themes and message

The themes of the short story “The Osage Orange Tree” by William Stafford are poverty, connection and love, which are enhanced by motifs like determination, responsibility and caring. The story’s message is that love can make people do crazy things and that poverty affects social relationships and one’s opinion of oneself.

Poverty

The theme of poverty is explored in the short story through the social setting and the character of Evangeline and her family. The events are set during the depression “dust years” when people were struggling to survive and have what to eat or get warm with during winter.

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Connection and love

Connection and love are explored in the short story through the two main characters, the narrator and Evangeline. At the beginning of the short story, they are both alone, un-integrated in any peer group. This is actually what attracts them to each other..

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