Everybody on earth faces some type of hardship at some point in their life. Regardless of religious preference most people seek guidance and find comfort through practicing their faith. This is exactly the case for Ruth McBride-Jordan, James McBride’s mother. In the novel The Color of Water, James sends the messages that a strong faith in God can overcome any obstacle and is the foundation for a happy, prosperous life through the story of his mother’s life.
Indicating between the middle and end as the story progresses towards its climax conflict regarding Ruth’s marital situation and the very subtle discrimination prevalent in the American South. As shown in part to Ruth’s unfortunate predicament within the story her husband being a continuous danger to her as he is on more than one occasion proves such. While at one point as Ruth is gathering her belongings and packing to leave with Idgie due to how her husband had been treating her he arrives confronting her angrily grabbing and pulling her as Idgie is left futily struggling to help to no avail. Eventually although able to leave after this confrontation in part to the aid of their friend Big George later on after the birth of Ruth’s child shortly following was the unpleasant reappearance of her husband Frank. As this time although he did so only to frighten her this reappearance of his however led harm to fall upon Big George at the hands of fellow unsavory discriminatory individuals. The next and last time as he is seen in the story is when on his own he sets out to take Ruth’s child only to be killed at the hands of Big George’s mother in self
The novel, The Color of Water follows the author and narrator James McBride and his mother Ruth’s life, through their childhood—when they were both embarrassed about their mother—through the part of their lives where they began to accept themself for who they are and became proud of it. Moreover, this memoir is quite distinctive as McBride cleverly parallels his story to his mother, Ruth’s story by using dual narration which further helps to contribute to the theme of self-identity. Throughout the novel, McBride searches for identity and a sense of self that derives from his multiracial family and through the use of two different narrations, McBride slowly establishes his identity. Plus by integrating both narratives at the end, McBride also shows that although both narrators at the beginning had different upbringing, in the end they come together and understand each other’s perspective.
The novel, The Color of Water follows the author and narrator James McBride, and his mother Ruth’s life. It explores their childhood—when they were both embarrassed by their mothers—through the part of their lives where they began to accept themselves for who they are. Moreover, this memoir is quite distinctive as McBride cleverly parallels his story to his mother, Ruth’s story using dual narration. This technique further helps contribute to the theme of self-identity. Throughout the novel, McBride searches for identity and a sense of belonging that derives from his multiracial family. By using two different narrations, McBride gradually establishes his identity and by integrating both narratives at the end, McBride also shows that although both narrators at the beginning had different upbringings, in the end they came together, and understood each other’s perspective.
On March 13, 1933, Joan Ruth Bader was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Celia Amster and Nathan Bader (Salokar & Volcansek, 1996). Ruth had an older sister, Marilyn, but she passed away at the age of six from meningitis; Ruth was one year old at the time. Cecilia, Ruth’s mother, stayed home and took care of Ruth while she grew up. Cecilia made sure that Ruth worked diligently in school and taught her the value of hard work. Cecilia was diagnosed with cancer while Ruth was in high school and the day before her daughter’s graduation she passed away (Salokar & Volcansek, 1996). One of the greatest influences on Ruth’s life was her mother and the values she instilled in her from a young age. Two of the greatest lessons that Ruth learned from her mother was to be independent and to be a lady, and by that she meant not to respond in anger but to remain calm in si...
She connects stories of different multicultural relationships between a man and a woman, and then continues on to compare the women and men from each story to each other. Social class is also mentioned in the story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was very wealthy and Ruth was found in his fields taking food for Naomi and herself. Traditionally, an individual that is born into a family of wealthiness is able to take care of their loved one- which is what Boaz does for Ruth after
Ruth is kind of the peacemaker. She is a loving, care mother, wife, sister-in-law and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Ruth is always on the mist of every situation, trying to maintain the ball rolling. She works and take care of the family. Ruth situation with Walter is a roller coaster. Sometimes Walter complains about Ruth he says to her “You couldn’t be on my side that long for nothing, could you…. A man needs for a woman to back him up…” p 32. Walter is saying that she is not supporting his dream and that she doesn’t listen to him. Ruth in this play is like mama’s right hand. The dream that Walter want is something that Ruth knows that Mama Lena will not go for. Walter continues to insult Ruth with negative comment “that is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world… Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something.” Pg. 34. Walter is saying that black women don’t know how to help a man to achieve his dreams. Ruth as a peacemaker, even though she is hurt she just walk away. Couple of minutes later, Walter and Beneatha are also arguing. Ruth step up to the situation to put the peace between the two siblings. Walter comment onto Beneatha “How is school coming”? pg36. Beneatha knowing that Walter just wants to start an argument comment back in a way of dislike. Ruth in the middle tries to put the peace. Ruth says to Walter “Walter Lee, why don’t you leave that girl alone and get out of her to work”? Ruth is telling Walter don’t start with her. Ruth knows that Walter has a dream, she knows that Beneatha also has a dream and Ruth also have her own dream. But poor Ruth she don’t talk often about it. Meanwhile, mama enters the living room and Ruth start talking about Walter’s idea. But Mama Lena ask Ruth “What done got into you, girl? Walter Lee done finally sold you on investing. Mama is saying are you already let
In The Color of Water, author James McBride writes both his autobiography and a tribute to the life of his mother, Ruth McBride. In the memoirs of the author’s mother and of himself, they constantly face discrimination from their race in certain neighborhoods and of their religious beliefs. The trials and tribulations faced by these two characters have taught readers universally that everyone faces difficulties in life, but they can all be surmounted.
“Black Power”, the word alone raises an abundance of controversial issues. Black power was a civil rights movement led by the black panthers which addressed several issues including segregation and racism. Black power had a different meaning to every member of the Mc Bride family, Ruth and James both looked at black power from a different angle. In “The Color of Water”, The author James Mc Bride admired the black panthers at first, but slowly he grew afraid of them after fearing the consequences his mother might face for being a white woman in a black community influenced by black power. James’ worries were baseless, black power’s motive was to educate and improve African American communities not to create havoc or to harm members of the white community.
In Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King, King intertwines stories to create a satire that pokes fun at Indian culture compared to European culture. The book attempts to also poke fun at Judeo-Cristian beliefs by examining the creation story. King makes fun of the story of Adam and Eve. He pokes fun at western civilization and government. Although the book made me laugh some of the meanings behind kings writing puzzled me and made me question king's motives. The book is truly a puzzle that can be hard to decipher for most. I found the book to be challenging but entertaining and interesting.