Ruth
What is Ruth's first name? Why does she change it after leaving her family?
Ruchel Dwajra Zylska, to indicate that Ruchel has died and now she is Ruth.
This person was Ruth's first husband, and had lung cancer.
Who is Andrew McBride?
Is the world more black and white than it is colorful? Does the divide of races really make such a difference?
In the books timeline of 20th century, a lot of racial divide was caused by racist organizations of certain race supremacy, and the fight for African Americans to gain equal social standing.Many consider the divide to be too much and accept the white and black aspect of the world, versus the benefits of diversity.
Was there more religious discrimination or race discrimination throughout the book?
I believe there was more race discrimination as Ruth faced alot of hate for marrying a black man, and even faced hate from black people for marrying Dennis
This person joined Dennis and Ruth in marriage.
Who is Rev. Abner Brown?
What Religion does Ruth follow at the start of the book? What problems does this cause for her?
Orthodox Judaism, which through her parents, creates tensions with them and makes her rebellioius and ready to leave by their abuse and racism.
This character abused his wife, making fun of her limp and calling her bad names
Who is Tateh?
Who has caused more violence, James who punched a black panther's kid, or the black panther, who seemed to be militant and was a possible threat to James's mom?
James acted on instinct, which was wrong but feared for his mom due to assumptions of the black panthers.
What race does James see himself as? Ruth?
James sees himself as black, but realistically is both black and white, and sees his mother as white, which leads to conflict over his vision of a black vs white world.
THis place is the church that Ruth and Dennis got married in?
What is Reverend Brown's church office
How did Ruth's father meet and marry Ruth's mom? Was this okay?
By escaping the Russian army and by arranged marriage, which seems to be wrong but Dennis caused a lot of positive change for Ruth in her early years of running away.
This character ran away at age 15 to later die in World War II
Who is Sam?
If you had to choose the color of water, what would it be?
Water can be any color, and reflects from person to person by its reflective surface, but if it had to be a color, most likely Blue
Why is James so scared for his mother near a black panther? Does he see her as racially different from himself?
James sees his mom as white, and sees a militant black male who is part of the "violent" black panthers, and after his mom was mugged, he feared for her around anything that could threaten her.
Ruth associated this religion with racial discrimination and her bad childhood cause.
What is Judaism
Why did Ruth hate her father? Was this a big factor into her leaving?
He molested her, and was a big factor combining with conflicts with religion and home life, leading her to run away and find her own path.
This character chose to shun Ruth after she broke their promise to live together in Virginia
Who is Dee Dee?
Would you repress your memories or other's memories to save them pain and suffering?
No, remembering your mistakes or other's mistakes improve yourself for the better as you will know not to make the same mistake.
Does Ruth or James ever truly live the American Dream?
Ruth lives the American dream as she is able to marry who she wants to marry, and makes her family while finding her peace. James lives with a lot of racial divide and has to deal with the racist society attacking his mom and conflicting his views of race.
Does Ruth accept both Judaism and Christianity? Why or why not?
At the end of the book it seems to show that she has accepted her painful past, but has moved on to a new god, under Jesus and Christianity.
Why did Ruth hide her past from her kids and put them into studying, religion, and values?
Ruth wanted them to live a simpler and safer life, compared to hers, and due to many racists of the time and racial divide, she hid her past to keep her kids pure.
This character deals with pain by skipping school, smoking weed, and robbing people
Who is James McBride?
Is James McBride projecting his life experience into a book? Did his own mother go through the same struggles or is this an exaggeration?
James's book is an accurate representation of his early life, as his mother really did go through these things, as her late family showed the pain that Ruth went through before she left.
Should have Ruth kept her past a secret from her family? Would letting them know of her reasons for leaving and the way she forces them to keep a private life make them understand her reasoning?
Ruth should've told James and her other siblings why she is so forceful for them to study, go to church and stay private due to her traumatic past.
Is religion a binding factor to Ruth's and James's family?
Yes, religion keeps them united and is a constant in their life, keeps them close to each other and with God