I would say the theme is that when a child grows up, what his/her circumstances are determines to a large degree how they will fare in life. In this case the girl was abandoned by her father and her mother couldn't look after her because she had to work so her daughter had to be brought up by relatives. Also, she is described as dark so perhaps dark skinned which would make her a target for racism if say in Canada or the US. Dr Gabor Mate, a medical doctor in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, BC Canada says that, for example, drug addicts have most often had a terrible upbringing so they have sought relief from the emotional and physical pain with narcotics. For example, one baby was kept in the dryer with a weight on the lid while his mom went to bars to pick up men.
Answer: i would say he was very determined and persistent in overcoming obstacles.
explanation: "the magician of menlo park" as he was called, liked to tell an incident that happened when he was 8 years old and came back home crying after attending school for three months because his teacher called him "sterile and unproductive". from nowadays perspective, we can say that thomas alva edison was one of the most persistent and determined man that has ever existed. when edison was 14, he contracted scarlet fever. the effect of the fever, as well as a blow to the head by an angry train conductor, caused edison to become completely deaf in his left ear, and 80-percent deaf in the other. so as you can see he had to struggle to not so many minor issues but he always succeeded.
