I think the meaning of it has to do with the fact that Billy Joe was her boyfriend, but the family was clueless about that fact. The girl obviously didn't want them to know, either. That was obvious by the mom mentioning her being seen with Billy Joe, as if it was a surprise that she would have been with him?Could be cause she knew her father and brother didn't really care for him, so didn't want the hassle, maybe too young, the old south, or whatever. They start to make it seem like her cover is blown, due to the fact that Brother Taylor "said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on choctaw ridge". The other irony is the indifference the other family members express toward a young man in their community committing suicide, as if it is so insignificant. The father and brother couldn't resist throwing a dig at Billy Joe. The Mom, of course is portrayed as a typical caring mother who felt bad and had the maternal instincts and some compasssion. Of course, the girl is suffering, but doesn't want to blow the cover, so she stays quiet. It's certainly not about an abortion, misscarriage, baby being thrown off.
I think the meaning of it has to do with the fact that Billy Joe was her boyfriend, but the family was clueless about that fact. The girl obviously didn't want them to know, either. That was obvious by the mom mentioning her being seen with Billy Joe, as if it was a surprise that she would have been with him?Could be cause she knew her father and brother didn't really care for him, so didn't want the hassle, maybe too young, the old south, or whatever. They start to make it seem like her cover is blown, due to the fact that Brother Taylor "said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on choctaw ridge". The other irony is the indifference the other family members express toward a young man in their community committing suicide, as if it is so insignificant. The father and brother couldn't resist throwing a dig at Billy Joe. The Mom, of course is portrayed as a typical caring mother who felt bad and had the maternal instincts and some compasssion. Of course, the girl is suffering, but doesn't want to blow the cover, so she stays quiet. It's certainly not about an abortion, misscarriage, baby being thrown off.