In the book “The Things a Brother Knows” by Dana Reinhardt there are many characters that all possess different traits. Often, these traits can have negative effects on the characters, causing their downfall. In this particular story, Boaz possess the trait of selfishness that is shown throughout the story. In the story, Boaz puts his own interests in front of those of his family, friends, and peers. Often, causing problems for those who care about him and eventually causing his own downfall.
Page 28). He also seems restless and impatient, but still respecting to his parents (he obeys his mother). To me it seems that Ruth and Walter are both stressed (they argue a lot and Ruth already has “disappointment hanging in her face” page 24), due to the family’s financial state. Their relationship seems rocky, yet you can tell they both love each other. Ruth seems to be tired and restless, having worked too much and doing housework.
About 124 years ago today, an important woman arrived at our colony, her name was Anne Hutchinson. She was one of our founders and a significant figure, not only known in this colony. Anne had a different interpretation of the Bible, this was against the Puritan rule in Massachusetts, and that’s why she was exiled to Rhode Island. While she lived in Massachusetts, Anne was recognized for holding church meetings in her own home. This was because of the way she interpreted the Bible.
This shows that one's lifestyle can change in a blink of an eye and not take things for granted. Due to Ruth May being ill, the rest of the sisters are forced to take over the household by cooking, cleaning and taking care of themselves. Leah By the end of the chapter,
Esther is a Jewish name, which means ‘star’, which the Persian or Babylonian form is Hadassah, meaning ‘myrtle’. The name Esther may also have a connection to the name of the common Semitic goddess, Ishtar. In the Hebrew Scriptures the book occurs in the third section among the Five Scrolls (Megilloth), which were read at the great feasts. Esther was read at the Festival of Purim (Lots). The story of Esther began at a banquet at the court of the Persian king, Ahasuerus, usually thought to be the emperor Xerxes.
Individuals sometimes keep hurtful, embarrassing situations and memories as secrets from their loved ones for their own protection. In the book titled “ The Color of Water.” James McBride writes his life story as well as a tribute to the life of his white Jewish mother. In the story, there are many secrets that exist and the burden of them tears people and relationships apart. The theme of the burden of secrets is displayed throughout the novel in Ruth’s inability to openly discuss her past to anyone because she is hurt and wants to protect her family.
Ruth May narrates how God is watching her all the time. Because God is monitoring her, she tries to avoid bad thoughts. Ruth May, who is only five years old, is already fearful of making a mistake because she fears making God mad. The idea of always being observed, and the fear of getting punished for bad actions came from Nathan, “So if we suffered in our little house on the peanut plain of Bethlehem, it was proof that one of us had committed a failure of virtue.” ( Kingsolver, 200) Orleanna shares how her husband believes that any unfortunate event is a punishment for their sins.
Her mother was crippled, spoke no English, and was not loved by her husband. Ruth was sexually abused by her father and began to look for a better life filled with friends, a home, and love. The day after high school graduation she fled Virginia to New York to live with her grandmother and aunts. She got a
She grows old with the self-condemnation of staying with Nathan for as long as she did, for if she mustered up the courage to leave the Congo earlier, Ruth May would not have died. Ruth May’s plea for Orleanna to forgive herself, just as Ruth May has forgiven her, presents the possibility of repentance for anyone, no matter how great of consequence their mistakes are. Though she never passed the age of 6, Ruth May seems to have learned better than most the importance of finding strength from and learning from wrong-doings. Urging her mother to “Move on. Walk forward into the light”, Ruth may passes along her own moral reassessment to anyone whom will listen, telling the error in letting so-called sins weigh down ones self forever
Yet, at home, she devotes love and curiosity to her family. This contrasts to multiple other characters, as the relationship between Ruth and her single mother is inspiring. Accordingly, she respects her mother, who provides encouragements like, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” With pure gratitude, Ruth seeks to apply her mother’s words. When bullies trouble Philip, Ruth can empathise with him.
One example of how Ruth’s sorrow is shown to the reader is early in the story when the narrator introduces Ruth, saying that “Ruth’s arm, linked with Matt’s tightened, he looked at her. Beneath her eyes there was swelling from the three days she had suffered” (111). This introduction to Ruth’s character is able to display her feelings of loss because of the fact that one of the first traits the reader learns about Ruth is that she had cried for three days after the loss of Frank, which does clearly show her sorrow because of the fact that three days is definitely a strangely long time to be crying for, especially since it seems like the entire family, besides her, had already moved on from crying about the loss. Another example of how Ruth is affected by loss is shown the night of Richard’s murder when Matt reflects on how “he believed Ruth knew... When Ruth said good night she looked at his face, and he felt she could see see in his eyes the gun, and the night he was going to” (116-117).
Faith is also put in question with this novel a Nathan represents all the bad that happens when religion and faith become construed and misinterpreted. It is also ironic that their last name is Price and that they had to pay a “price” for the sins they committed and that was Ruth May’s life.
In the narrative, Oates recalls her high school years in which she reconnects with Ruth Weidel, who gave teachers the implication that “something had happened” and how they “treated her guardedly” (Oates 561). This ties into the theme of the individual versus society. When she lived with her family, Ruth and the rest of her family were treated as outcasts and were talked about behind their backs. Now in high school, she remained alone until Oates worked up the nerve to befriend. Something had caused her to mature quickly and in the midst of that growth, Ruth created a barrier to protect herself from anymore pain.
Ruth the Perpetual Foreigner and Model Minority by Gale A. Yee illustrates how the story of Ruth and the
“Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression” (Nelson Mandela). Women throughout history has been shown to be treated unequally compared to men, they are heavily repressed by stereotypes of society and by men who believe they are superior compared to women. Zora Neale Hurston explores the roles of women in the novel, Their Eyes were Watching God, through the characters of Janie and her second husband, Joe Starks. Even with two different marriages, Janie never got the chance to be who she really is. The men in her life had held Janie back from what she wanted.
