What is the theme in Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns?

One major theme in the novel, Cold Sassy Tree, is that of social class.... the strictly adhered to social hierarchy of the Old South. Over the course of the novel, we see social status broken down over time... Grandpa Blakeslee's marriage to Miss Love, Will's refusal to acknowledge his feelings about Lightfoot and regret at not having done so, and Will's mother's cruelty to her father's new wife, as well as her treatment of those around her.