Comparative Essay Compare And Contrast Ruth And James

* James notices that his mother’s skin color than his friends’ mothers’ skin color are different, so Ruth tells him “Who cares about your friends’ mothers’ skin color? Just educate your mind.”

James McBride has faced many obstacles in his life and that consisted of facing discrimination throughout the majority of his youth, having an overall sense of being lost, being embarrassed by his mother’s appearance (being white), and questioning life in general. As the novel progresses, James begins to overcome the obstacles he has faced by embracing God and Jazz. He turned to Jazz in order to escape his drug use and drinking. James’ life has proven to be highly inspiring because he grew up during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s. There were many conflicts surrounding interracial marriages and anything against Black Culture.

Though it is in different manners, one rebellious, the other silent, it is still grieving. instead of being the tough lady she used to be she (Ruth) became “intent on playing piano [and] forcing [her children] through college [with]sheer willpower” (McBride 7) James goes from sweet little boy who is worried about his mother and the Black Panthers killing her (McBride 36), to avid drug user and petty thief. In this way it is the same how Ruth and her son grieve because they turn into complete opposites if their old

Metaphor is used in this quote. Ruth is made to come across like the ruler of all people. That was how her children say their mother. She was strong hearted person who didn’t take anything from anybody. She was cruel in a way towards her children. Being cruel was her coping method and this caused her family to evolve around an identity crisis. On the other hand this quote deals with family being that she was the ruler of everyone she was older than. The connection is that the spark of identity confusion caused James to go on this journey in the

In the book The Color of Water by James Mcbride the main character Ruchel, later Ruth, lived through some of the most dangerous and prejudice times in history. Being part of a Jewish immigrant family from Poland, Ruth’s childhood was everything but easy. Her father, Tateh, was a dictative man who mistreated his family and tried to control every aspect of their life. He also forced his racist and anti-Christian views upon those around him. Ruth’s mother, Mameh, was not much better than her father. Mameh allowed herself to be suppressed by Tateh and did little to help with the abuse of her children. As Ruth grew up her parents flaws helped to mold her into the person she became.

In the book The Color of Water, the author, James McBride not only takes us through his own journey, but also gives us a perspective on the life of his mother, Ruth. James’ admiration for his mom reflects throughout the story while showing the readers the growth and development her character experienced as she went through life. Ruth McBride-Jordan endured many heartbreaking hardships throughout her life, but nevertheless, had an innumerable amount of cheerful and zestful moments. She grew to be a remarkable woman; however, it was a long journey before she became that woman. Separating from her family, and leaving the South was one of the hardest choices she ever made, yet it was best for her, in order to move on and adjust her future for the better. A main factor in Ruth’s life prosperity was her first husband, Andrew Dennis McBride, who taught her many important things and, in a sense, changed her entire lifestyle and outlook on the world. The last large impression that altered her life immensely in a way that led her character to mature, was the death of her beloved “Dennis”. These elements all highlight a point in this woman’s life that caused a development in her personality.

McBride utilizes anecdote to illustrate the theme that Ruth tried to change to be more American.Through Ruth’s narration, her desire to be normal is made evident in her attempt to change her name to fit in. Ruth explains, “my real name was Rachel...but

The Kids at Ruth’s school truly didn’t like her just because she was Jewish. In high school, Ruth was cast as an ensemble dancer for a school musical, but due to the other students saying they didn’t want to have to dance next to a Jew, Ruth dropped out. (McBride P.105)

First, six year old Ruby is ostracized, or rejected, by angry white people, including teachers and administrators. Walking into the schools, the staff members were all lined up and gave mean looks toward Miss.Bridges. One teacher exclaimed that “we don’t have little Negroes in Franz Elementary,” but Ruby was brave and

Ruth, James's mom, couldn’t have cared less that she had mixed children. As far as she was concerned, they were her children; the color of their skin didn’t matter to her. All Ruth cared about was the education her children were receiving in school. James saw it completely different than his mom did, though. James was confused about all of it.

James McBride's mother was a very sweet and honest woman, but she never talked about her past. When James would ask where her parents were she would always avoid the question. She had troubles with her parents in the past and left home. During the time James was growing up, mixed children weren't

In The Color of Water, James writes how his mother faced many hardships throughout her life. Ruth McBride Jordan, James’ mother, was a foreign immigrant who came from poland. As a young jewish girl, ruth faced many adversities throughout her early stages of life. The racism and racial prejudice really hit Ruth hard from the first moment she moved to the United States of America. Ruth is made fun of and shunned for being a small jewish girl in school. Also, ruth has seen the worst of racism through all the African Americans who visit her fathers store. She watched the Ku Klux Klan visit the ghetto towns of Virginia and terrorize the whole black community. Then later on in her life, Ruth is forced to run away to New York for an abortion after getting pregnant from her African American boyfriend whose life was in extreme danger during that period in time. Ruth then falls in love and marries Andrew Dennis McBride The only way for ruth to somewhat get away from racism is to leave the white world behind and adapt the the black world. She chose to do this because the white community was not pro interracial marriages at that time. Also, the black community did not judge Ruth and was very accepting of her, despite her being

[5] Ruth's description of her childhood allows James to understand how she decided to live her own life. Living being surrounded buy black people and interacting with them every day, she witnessed their lives and struggles. She saw her father treat them horribly, just like he treated her badly. Ruth often ignored her father's racist beliefs, like she ignored many parts of her father's personality and his treatment of his family.

Growing up in Suffolk Virginia, Ruth McBride was abused by her Orthodox Jewish rabbi father as she was forced to work very long hours in their family store. Since love was not something that was simply provided by her father, she instead finds love in the arms of a black man. In a turn of events, Ruth ends up marrying another Christian black man and has children with him. However, she hides her Jewish background from her children. In her family, marrying a black man is considered to be an unacceptable thing and due to this,

Ruby lived in the black community, they were the only white family in that part of town. Since Ruby’s family lived there, they often were looked down upon for living near such people. Society made them feel like it was wrong, and a disgrace. Ruby’s father was separated from the family and lived in Tennessee away from the family. Ruby’s mother, along with Ruby, had to make a living to provide for all the children.