"In the culture described in the song, it would be flat impossible for the girl to go through nine months of pregnancy without her family and probably the entire town noticing!"---Ferrara

Actually, Ferrara, such a thing happened in my family. My aunt was from a very small southern town and became pregnant due to a date-rape, when 16 yrs old. The date was arranged by her favorite older brother--with a "friend" of his--and she told no one because she knew her brother would kill the perpetrator and then go to the "pen". She delivered 9 mos. later, wearing the same size jeans she wore on the date. It was the fear of discovery in a small town that kept her squeezing into them every day. Needless to say, her parents were very surprised. Her brother was outraged, and would definitely have killed his "friend" had she ever told him the truth. The child was normal--except for the lifelong stigma of being illegitimate in a small southern town.

The "Ode to Billie Joe" song speaks to me because it is southern reality at the dinner table--"pass the gravy, ain't it a shame?" When we found out about the baby, it was at dinner, and I recall my parents discussing the event while serving our plates.

As to what they threw off the bridge, I always thought it was their future. IMO, the movie was a waste of time and money, and I was offended by it's explanation of why Billie Joe jumped.

Audi