Friday, December 6, 2013
What about Ruth?
Ruth seems like an important character. Am I wrong? I feel that she is really misunderstood. Ruth may have made some poor life desicions, like marrying Macon Dead, drugging him, breast-feeding Milkman way too long, and the way she was caught with her deceased father. I think there is something to say about her willingness to stay in her loveless existance. Loveless as in her marriage with Macon Dead Jr., and her relationship with her son whom she loves dearly yet he does not feel anything strongly towards her. Milkman is her only reason leftfor living, or living in her current state - and he abandons her. And when she learns Hagar is trying to kill him she takes a stand. While no one loves Ruth, the love and strength she occasionally exudes is incredible. She has a very strong spirit, and life ahs taken so many swings at it. Ruth is an important character, I hope as the novel goes on that that is realized and comes into the story line.
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I am conflicted about the essence of Ruth's character. Like you said, the novel portrays her as rather unimportant and a passive character who may have made poor decisions in her life. Do we even know if all of those stories about her are true? Part of what makes her seem like her role in the family and society is insignificant is that she is passive and unable to provide readers with the truth about her past. We see Ruth become a victim to her husbands authority. Other characters merely act upon her or speak about her, seen through her inability to stand up for herself when Milkman slaps his father for peaking poorly to her. This may be because of her position in society as a woman, but the character does lack the strength to be confident. Her unwavering love for her family is noteworthy, but when Morrison did not allow the rumors surrounding Ruth's life to be clarified, her role seems less important.
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