In Where the Lilies Bloom, a variety of challenging factors coalesce, making life hard for the Luther siblings. The geographical setting of a rural valley in the Appalachian mountains presents unique trials, as does the cultural environment of the area and the Luther household. These challenges are mostly illustrated through the characters of Mary Call and Romey, who tackle their worries in different ways due to their personalities, gender, and age. The Luther family survives their harsh environment through resourcefulness, faith, and family identity; the novel hence suggests that perseverance and teamwork lead to survival.

Because of their father’s position as a sharecropper, the family makes a low income. Mary Call also attributes their financial state to her father’s weakness, or inability to stand up for his rights: “He’s let things beat him […]. The land, Kiser Pease, the poverty” (17). While Roy Luther is not assertive in his relationship with landowner Kiser Pease, he does maintain strict moral codes within the household; pride in the family name is a key aspect, which is tied to a fervent refusal to accept any help from the county or townspeople, even if the family’s “tongues hang out parched down to our knees” (16).