Ruth


 * THE CHARACTER RUTH BY SONIA CHRIS-UKAH.**


 * RUTH**:One of the main characters in the book," THE COLOR OF WATER" is Ruth.she was born an orthodox Jew on April 1,1921,April fools day,in Poland.Her name at birth was Ruchel Dwajaran Zyslka.Ruth was a Jewish immigrant to the United States. Her family traveled around the country as her father tried to capitalize on his distinction as a rabbi. The family could not make a living this way, and eventually settled down in Suffolk, Virginia, and opened a general store.When she came to America,she changed her name to Rachael Deborah Shilsky.Later,she got rid of the name Rachael when she was nineteen and never used it again after 1941.Ruth's physical characteristics is not clearly described in the book,but she was described as having black and curly hair,and curved legs.Again,the issue of changing names repeat itself.The book,"THE GREAT GATSBY",Gatsby had to change his name in order to fit in and be that person he wants to be,but had never been."I used the name "Ruth" around white folks in elementary school,because it didn't sound so Jewish,though it never stopped the other white kids from teasing me",pg 80.At nineteen, she moved into a new life in New York City, where she fell in love with a black Baptist minister named Andrew McBride. When she married McBride, she was pronounced "dead" by her Jewish relations."My family mourned me when i got married to your father,they sat in shiva",pg 2.Her white Jewish family has cut off all contact with her, and she goes to the black side of American society, where the family and friends of her two black husbands welcome her.Below is a picture of Ruth McBride Jordan in her youth.In the picture,her black curly hair is shown.

The central figure of the memoir, she is the tough but big-hearted mother of James and eleven other children.Ruth's character was formed by her life in the South of the 1920s and 1930s.Her adult life differed greatly from her life with her family in Suffolk. She married a black man, Andrew Dennis McBride, and became Ruth McBride. She had eight children with Dennis, who died while Ruth was pregnant with her son James. The family lived in Harlem together for years. In Harlem, Ruth lost the privilege she had enjoyed in the South. She worked at draining, poorly paid jobs. She socialized exclusively with black people, and essentially lived the life of a black woman,"As a boy,I often found mommy's ease among black people surprising" pg 31.Ruth converted from Judaism to Christianity after her move to New York. She became increasingly involved with local churches, and eventually opened her own church with her husband. Ruth's parents had forced Judaism on her, causing her to resent religion. She embraced Christianity because she discovered it on her own,although with the help of her late husband. After her separation from her family, Ruth needed some source of relief from the guilt she felt, and she found that relief in Christianity's emphasis on the power of forgiveness. She chose an unconventional life, and succeeds in it because she has the grit and conviction to endure hardships.She disliked money"What's money if your mind is empty"? pg 9.The idea of keeping to herself was what she wanted to implant in her children.She wanted absolute secrecy,"You stick to your brothers and sisters,thats it,don't tell nobody your business" pg 13.Through out her life,matters involving race and identity,she ignored."What color is God?James asked,T//HE COLOR OF WATER// Ruth replied".Ruth also faced contradictions.she was never in support of any race in particular,rather she had contradictions."White folks she felt were implicitly evil towards blacks,she believed blacks could be trusted more,but anything involving blacks,she felt it was probably slightly substandard" pg 29.Below is a picture of Ruth McBride and her son James McBride.
 * RUTH'S LIFE IN GENERAL**



She was very devoted.She was spiritual, intelligent, determined, practical, and brave. She stresses the importance of work, school, and God."Mommy loved God.She went to church each and every Sunday" pg 45. Her major priorities in life was to love God,thus she explained to her children"Put God first" pg 9 and be successful.In terms of grades,she expected excellent grades from each of her kids,"Educate your mind,school is important",pg 13.All she wanted was for children to be successful in life,and this she showed in her outstanding effort in getting her kids scholarships and financial efforts through college.She believed that you can be whoever you want to be,WHICH IS THE AMERICAN DREAM AND IDEA,and also,which is related to James Gatsby.She believed that once you distinguish yourself in a positive way,honor will always be giving to you.And so,she gave honor to whom it was due,whether black or white."Will I be a black nobody or just a nobody? James asked.If you are a nobody,she said dryly,it doesn't matter what color you are" pg 92.An example of how she gave honor to whom it was due,was her love for Malcolm X.She put him in nearly the same category as her other civil right heroes,Paul Robeson,Jackie Robinson,Eleanor Roosevelt,Martin Luther king Jr and the Kennedy.When Malcolm X talked about the "white devil",mommy simply felt those references didn't apply to her."She viewed the civil rights achievements of black Americans with pride,as if they were own".Why do you think Ruth placed such emphasis on hard work and education?Ruth's background as a poor immigrant likely contributed to her excellent work ethic. In addition, however, the motivation may have been her drive to achieve self-reliance. Ruth believed in freedom, and education and hard work were paths toward that freedom. When Ruth first left Suffolk, she came to New York, working long hours in tedious, even dangerous jobs. Ruth also enjoyed education for its inherent worth. Never a lazy woman, Ruth loved to use her mind.
 * HER MAJOR PRIORITIES IN LIFE**