ESOL 260 The Color of Water Study Guide chapters 15 17 docx
ESOL 260 The Color of Water
Study Guide
Chapters 15-17
Chapter 15. Graduation
1. Describe Ruth’s graduation from high school and her feelings about leaving Suffolk.
Ruth tries to attend her graduation, not just because she wants to, but because attending became a symbolic victory over her father. She wants to get away from her religion and her dad, but she also wants to take care of her mom.
When she realizes that her father’s decision and and religion always affect her, she decides to get away.
Chapter 16. Driving
2. How does Ruth feel about driving? What distinction is there between
Rachel and Ruth in terms of driving?
Although she feels scared of and hates driving, she still wants to try. Rachel knows how to drive,but Ruth doesn’t. However, they are the same person.
3. What has McBride seemingly learned from Chicken Man? How does
McBride react to these lessons?
James has begun to learn that bad things would happen if he failed to change his behavior. James starts to look to God for guidance, strength and comfort.
4. Why does it take Ruth so long to recover from her second husband’s death? How does she respond/cope?
Because she has so many things to recover from. She acts like she is fine, although she is not. It is just not because of her second husband’s death. It is also because of the dissipation her Jewish family, abandoning her mother and the tragic death of her first husband. She keeps moving like riding a bike, walking, and going on buses. She doesn’t let anybody come near her.
5. On what is Ruth perfectly clear, and how does that conviction influence her life?
She believes in God. Even if she was completely tired and depressed, she still got up on Sunday and went to church. Going church makes her feel better.
Chapter
17. Lost in Harlem
1. What role does Andrew McBride (Dennis) play in Ruth’s life?
He is her first husband, and she really adores him.
2. Why does Ruth describe Harlem as ‘magic’?
ESOL 260 The Color of Water
Study Guide
Chapters 15-17
Study Guide
Chapters 15-17
Chapter 15. Graduation
1. Describe Ruth’s graduation from high school and her feelings about leaving Suffolk.
Ruth tries to attend her graduation, not just because she wants to, but because attending became a symbolic victory over her father. She wants to get away from her religion and her dad, but she also wants to take care of her mom.
When she realizes that her father’s decision and and religion always affect her, she decides to get away.
Chapter 16. Driving
2. How does Ruth feel about driving? What distinction is there between
Rachel and Ruth in terms of driving?
Although she feels scared of and hates driving, she still wants to try. Rachel knows how to drive,but Ruth doesn’t. However, they are the same person.
3. What has McBride seemingly learned from Chicken Man? How does
McBride react to these lessons?
James has begun to learn that bad things would happen if he failed to change his behavior. James starts to look to God for guidance, strength and comfort.
4. Why does it take Ruth so long to recover from her second husband’s death? How does she respond/cope?
Because she has so many things to recover from. She acts like she is fine, although she is not. It is just not because of her second husband’s death. It is also because of the dissipation her Jewish family, abandoning her mother and the tragic death of her first husband. She keeps moving like riding a bike, walking, and going on buses. She doesn’t let anybody come near her.
5. On what is Ruth perfectly clear, and how does that conviction influence her life?
She believes in God. Even if she was completely tired and depressed, she still got up on Sunday and went to church. Going church makes her feel better.
Chapter
17. Lost in Harlem
1. What role does Andrew McBride (Dennis) play in Ruth’s life?
He is her first husband, and she really adores him.
2. Why does Ruth describe Harlem as ‘magic’?
ESOL 260 The Color of Water
Study Guide
Chapters 15-17