The narrator of his experiences growing up in a Brooklyn housing project with a Jewish mother, James McBride describes his personal confusion about race and identity, the initial impulse to discover his mother's history, his evolution into music and writing, and his ultimate endeavor to tell his mother's story - a story that is, at heart, his own. 43 Votes) The Color of Water was written by James McBride, and it is an autobiographical journey both of his life and his mother's life. He passed away at forty-five of lung cancer, and James is the last of his children. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! You can view our. She married him, converted to Christianity, and became very involved with church activities. What did they call them? Hunter Jordan: stepfather, Ruth's second husband, died after having a relapse of a stroke, From eldest to youngest (excluding James, who is the eighth child): Dennis, Rosetta, Billy, David, Helen, Richard, Dotty, Kathy, Judy, Hunter, and Henry: James's 11 siblings (Jacqueline "Jack": Andrew's daughter from a previous marriage), Karen aka Karone, Leander Bien, and Laurie Wesman: ex-girlfriends, Linwood Bob Hinson: cousin from North Carolina, Frances Moody: Ruth's very close childhood friend; only schoolmate who befriended Ruth; a Gentile. Frances isnt Jewish, but she doesnt care that Ruth is. After a long-term affair with a woman in town, Tateh divorced Hudis. Often, Ruth would say that she was jealous of her because she didn't have to deal with the negative stigma towards Jews like Ruth did. (Book 335 from 1001 books) - Ragtime, E.L. Doctorow Ragtime is a novel by E. L. Doctorow, published in 1975. why is tateh's attitude toward his Black customers ironic? He wasn't a very good rabbi, so the contracts were never renewed. He is particularly cruel to the elder son, Sam, working him day and night in the store. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. He becomes a minister and Ruth shares his religious passion, starting a church with him. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. is puraqua sparkling water good for you. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% how did mameh's family in new york think about mameh's family in north carolina? To this day I dont know. She soon learned that Helen had gone to Jacqueline's house, and sent Richie to go and talk to her. Todos Los derechos Reservados. She has a conflict with her white mother and whites in The Color of Water by James McBride is a memoir of his and his mother's life. 2.019 - CLINICA ERA todos los Derechos Reservados. E-mail: contact@arc.com. The couple emigrated to America, where Tateh worked as a traveling Orthodox rabbi. Big Richard is the husband of Jaqueline (Jack), a daughter of Dennis McBride by another woman. Who is Tateh in the color of water? Only later in life did he realize that his mother marginalized issues of race and identity in favor of the "nuts and bolts" of raising twelve children. Tateh was a terrible husband in many aspects such as fidelity and love. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Ruth explains that she has become, in her words, "dead" to her family as a result of her marriage to Andrew Dennis McBride, James's African-American father. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. ABOUT. As he grows up, he begins to admire his mother as he researches her past as a journalist. This colors of this set include: Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Orange Hue, Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Permanent Rose, Dioxazine Purple, Ultramarine, Cerulean Blue Hue, Hooker's Green Light, Burnt Sienna, and Lamp Black. She chose an unconventional life, and succeeds in it because she has the grit and conviction to endure hardships. Ruth met her first husband, Dennis, at the factory, where he was Aunt Mary's best artisan. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. As a child, Ruth was forced to work long hours in her fathers grocery store, immediately after school until close. At nineteen, she moved into a new life in New York City, where she fell in love with a black Baptist minister named Andrew McBride. Jack's opinion matters to James, and eventually he heeds her advice to return to school. When Ruth was a child, Tateh sexually abused her and made harsh demands on her to work constantly in the family store. Ruth felt that her mother was good to her, and suffered a lifelong sense of guilt for not taking better care of Mameh. Fishel also happened to be a rabbi, who would get in bed with his daughters. Ruth's brother, he is two years older than Ruth. While Bubeh tried to shape Ruth's behavior in some ways, she also gave Ruth some space, and seemed to accept her. mac miller faces indie exclusive. Ruth describes her parents' arranged marriage. Author and main narrator of the memoir, he is artistically inclined. She had fewer conflicts with her father than Ruth did, and she was more Americanized from a young age. The Protestant whites discriminated against the small community of Jews, and the Depression of the 1930s made life difficult for everyone. Ruth's children see those values in their mother and copy them. When she met her first husband, however, everything changed. She does not care or even notice what others think of her unusual habit of bicycle riding. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. By contrast, Ruth's childhood was not so humorous. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Born Ruchel Dwajra Zylska on April 1, 1921, in Poland, Ruth McBride Jordan (or "Mommy"), the mother of twelve children, was born into an Orthodox Jewish family and raised in a violent Southern town. Who is Tateh in the color of water? Big Richard is a tough and fun guy who introduces James to all the working men on "the corner.". Ruth is a great mother because of the strong values she believes in. Ruth's younger sister. She demanded respect and hard work from her children, and always treated them tenderly. It's probably some thing we've done wrong but now we know about it and we'll try to fix it. Ruth's brother, he is two years older than Ruth. Ruth describes what she found to be the suffocating strictness and specific rules of Orthodox Judaism. Next to that, all the rules and religions in the world are secondary; mere words and beliefs that people choose to believe and kill and hate by. While Ruth always envies her, later in life she realizes that Dee-Dee had suffered the most. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The Color of Water is a memoir written about and by James' McBride. She wanted to escape the oppressive environment of both her family and the South. He meets Ruth shortly after her first husband's death, marries her, cares for her eight children and has four more children with her. The Color of Water. springfield xd barrel conversion kit Likes ; elasticsearch data not showing in kibana Followers ; japfest silverstone 2021 Followers ; harris county democratic party judicial candidates Subscriptores ; greenfield funeral homes Followers ; jeremiah 29:11 sermon illustrations Sam Shilsky: Ruth's brother. Her father, Fishel Shilsky, who she called Tateh, was an Orthodox rabbi. Ruth's second husband and James's primary male role model. Get an answer for 'What effect does Tateh have on Ruth Shilsky in The Color of Water by James McBride?' and find homework help for other The Color of Water questions at eNotes . Your mother was part of this. He spends most of his life through adolescence either there or in Queens. But Mameh cannot divorce Tateh because she is sick and has no one else. One of the narrators of The Color of Water and James McBride s mother. numrich m16 parts kit; uber from nashville to knoxville The Color of Water study guide contains a biography of James McBride, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Contact us James McBride describes his large and unique family and upbringing in his memoir/autobiography, The Color of Water . More books than SparkNotes. Tateh was particularly hard on the timid, sensitive Sam, expecting expects him to fulfill many duties at the family store. insular, anti-Semitic town. The Color of Water. He is killed in the army during World War II. Where does the color of water take place? SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. She has a conflict with her white mother and whites in general during the politically charged 1960s. Her parents changed her name to Rachel when they immigrated to America. The central figure of the memoir, she is the tough but big-hearted mother of James and eleven other children. The area was beset with serious racial problems in those days, and bodies were always being dragged out of the river. Hudis Shilsky aka Mameh: Ruth's mother. James's older sister. what is the "golden" rule regarding third party billing? (including. Ruth met her second husband, Hunter Jordan, soon after. The couple experienced a certain degree of prejudice as a result of their interracial marriage. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Novelguide.com is continually in the process of adding more books to the website each week. Tateh was particularly hard on the timid, . creating and saving your own notes as you read. Dennis saves her from going down that road. Ruth promised Dee-Dee she would not leave her, but broke the promise. Ruth had cut all ties with her Jewish family, as they had essentially disowned her when she married James's father. SparkNotes PLUS browning a5 synthetic forearm; thoracentesis diagnostic procedure ati; most educated person in zimbabwe; a12 romford traffic; list of quarantine hotels in manila Frances was sweet and accepting of Ruth, even though she is from a gentile family. Islam Buddhism Christianity Orthodox Judaism They were done long ago, but a new pain and a new awareness were born inside me. A Polish Jewish immigrant, she is spiritual, intelligent, determined, practical, and brave. Her father, Fishel Shilsky, who she called Tateh, was an Orthodox rabbi. Helen is a strong-willed and pretty girl who runs away from home at the age of fifteen. hamric core competencies how to retrieve a letter you mailed by mistake uk snapchat vs tiktok users 2021 Jack or Jaqueline is James's older stepsister, who is much loved by Ruth and her children. Why? She fears and resents, As a child, Ruth has low self-esteem, partially due to. When Ruth's mother sang the song "Birdie, Birdie, Fly Away", she was referring to Ruth as the bird, able to move so swiftly and easily, while she referred to herself as the handicapped bird who deserved to be sacrificed and killed. Mameh passed away shortly after Ruth (or Rachel) left for New York. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. She eventually returned home, but her conflict with Ruth had a large impact on. Please check back weekly to see what we have added. Tateh is racist and uncaring towards his family, driving the children away. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. tom kenny rick and morty characters. csis careers reddit. Wed love to have you back! the color of water chapter 3 quotesshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. Tateh. She was also pregnant by Peter, her black boyfriend in Suffolk, and wanted to deal with the pregnancy away from her family. They live above the store, located in the mostly black section of town. how many siblings did james mcbride haverequirements to be a ufc fighterrequirements to be a ufc fighter Ruth's second husband and father of the 4 youngest children. More books than SparkNotes. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, is the autobiography and memoir of James McBride first published in 1995; it is also a tribute to his mother, whom he calls Mommy, the color of water chapter 3 quotes; June 3, 2022. the color of water chapter 3 quotes. He writes the memoir to discover himself. James states: "as a boy I knew God was all-powerful because of Mommy's utter deference to Him." A Polish Orthodox Jew crippled by polio as a child, Mameh (or Hudis Shilsky) was a gentle and good Jewish wife. Holistically Lizzie. The son of the man who eventually took over Shilsky's store, Aubrey Rubenstein offered James a better view of the history of the Jewish community in Suffolk. Post author By ; Post date trane xr14 reviews; jensen beach rv lots for rent on how many siblings did james mcbride have on how many siblings did james mcbride have What happened to Sam in the color of water? Sam ran away to escape and breathe more freely, and Helen exhibited a similar need to get away from the chaos of the house. Big Richard: Jack's husband and James's friend, Mrs. Ingram: Ruth's best friend as an adult, Israel Levy: old Jewish friend of Ruth's who allowed her father (rabbi) a permanent place, C. Lawler Rogers and Hal Schiff: music teachers, David H. and Ann Fox Dawson: donors who helped James go to Europe concerning his aspiration for being a musician, Chicken Man: A friend of Big Richard's who teaches James all he knows about the streets and helps him turn his life around, Past vs. What does Ruth say about the South?111 9. Hundreds of healthy, seasonal, whole food recipes that you and your family will love the color of water chapter 8 quotes. Despite this. 20% what did they call them? Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Their families were together and although they were poor, they seemed happy." Last Updated on August 30, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. When Reverend Owen failed to give him an adequate response, Richie insisted Jesus was gray, and stopped attending Sunday School after that. During her early life, Ruths father, Tateh, did not treat her and her family well. After a lot of questioning about his place as a half-blood, he learns to trust religious faith, family unity, and humane values. Ruth initially speculates that because, graduation because it ends with a ceremony in a Protestant Church. Helen is a strong-willed and pretty girl who runs away from home at the age of fifteen. Created by JasonReighard Terms in this set (32) jibe agree with fraught full of ruse a trick tyranny cruel and unjust use of power bourgeois belonging to middle class, mediocre emulate to imitate balefully evilly, mischievously convoluted twisted . He is the Father of Ruth Shilsky, and thus grandfather Click to see full answer. Revista dedicada a la medicina Estetica Rejuvenecimiento y AntiEdad. She had twelve children born to two husbands, Andrew Dennis McBride Sr. and Hunter Jordan Tateh would prefer she notit won't teach her anything useful, he thinksand pays for private lessons in sewing, knitting, and Her family traveled around the country as her father tried to capitalize on his distinction 10. He has to move frequently because his corruption alienates him from the communities he serves. She rebelled against "the white man's education" as well as her sister Rosetta, and sought a space where she could grow into the person she wanted to become. The Color of Water study guide contains a biography of James McBride, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. This foreshadowed her death. It is at the factory she meets Dennis McBride, who is also employed by her aunt. the commitment trust theory of relationship marketing pdf; cook county sheriff police salary; pantene truly natural discontinued His mother, Ruth, was a white Jewish woman who spent much of her childhood in Suffolk, Virginia and who dedicated the rest of her life to raising her twelve black children. Fishel Shilsky aka Tateh: Ruth's father. She recalls her grandparents Bubeh and Zaydeh with fondness. She is obedient to her husband, kind and loving. -Graham S. An alcoholic who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, and spent most of his day on the Corner outside the liquor store. Strap Color Black. Dee-Dee is Ruth's younger sister, Gladys. Their mother was furious. Her sweet-tempered mother, Hudis Shilsky, or Mameh to Ruth, wed Tateh in an arranged marriage. globus pallidus t2 hyperintensity radiology; who is rogue's love interest fairy tail. Ruth is the central figure in this memoir, the tough Jewish mother of James and eleven other children. The parallel further shows that history often repeats itself, and that across generations, races, and religions, families often face the same kinds of crises. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! James is a writer, journalist, jazz musician, and composer. Ruth's family disowned her when she left, disgusted with her preference for marrying a black man instead of a Jewish man, her general failure to embrace Judaism, and her defiance of her father. Dennis is her inspiration to lead a spiritual life, to become Christian, and to put her family first. Tateh was an Orthodox rabbi named Fishel Sam found the burden too weighty and ran away at fifteen. mini portuguese water dog; a ha sak crows. Present; self-motivation; and the burden of secrets, Racism. Perhaps more than any of James's other siblings, her struggles with her background exemplify the political and racial turmoil of the 1960s. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. What did Peter risk in dating Ruth?110 8. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. What struck Ruth during those years was how the black community every Sunday "dressed up so clean for church I wouldn't recognize them. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. She took trips to New York to stay with relatives, and later moved permanently to Harlem. fishel shilsky How is the color of water organized? Color and finish may also differ from the images shown due to differences in monitor displays. To James, this bicycle symbolized Ruth's quirkiness, and his own embarrassment. Two brand . The Question and Answer section for The Color of Water is a great The Color of Water: Novel Summary:Chapter 1: Dead, The Color of Water: Summary of Chapter 2-5, The Color of Water: Summary of Chapter 6-10, The Color of Water: Summary of Chapter 11-15, The Color of Water: Summary of Chapter 16-20, The Color of Water: Summary of Chapter 21-25, Thomas Jefferson: the Man, the Myth, and the Morality, Teddy Roosevelt: the Man Who Changed the Face of America, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Start studying The Color of Water. How did Peter win Ruth over?110 7. Characters Ruth McBride Born in Poland in 1921, Ruth Jordan was a Jewish immigrant to the United States. 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. Refine any search. When he came back, he said Helen wasn't coming home, and, after a time, she disappeared from Jack's. When he passed away, it was Ruth's first encounter with death. In The Color of Water, James McBride tells the life stories of himself and his mother, Ruth McBride Jordan, in alternating . Ruth's maternal grandmother, she is one of her few family members Ruth recalls fondly. Ruth mourned his death deeply and became desperate to find a means to support herself and her eight children. Not affiliated with Harvard College. He forced the family to settle in Suffolk, where he opened a grocery store and treated his family very poorly. Like Dennis, he is conservative and old-fashioned. At the same time, because she was not directly subject to her father's tyranny, Dee-Dee was unable to understand why Ruth - as well as Sam - needed to go away. He expands Ruths horizons and gives her faith in God. The couple emigrated to America, where Tateh worked as a traveling Orthodox rabbi. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. She ruled over her own household as a kind of tyrant, but because her rule was tempered with love and she truly had in mind the best interests of each of her children, her strictness became a standard that the family sought to live up to. Ruth sympathizes with the black people in her town. MY STORY; ONE TO ONE COACHING; RESOURCE LIBRARY. Later, he becomes diligent and determined. Health Fitness Nutrition For Busy Mums. Case Color Silver. He shared Ruth's notions of the importance of God, family, and education. The family could not make a living this way, and eventually settled down in Suffolk, Virginia, and opened a general store. Mameh was mild and meek, in part as a result of polio, from which she suffered her entire life. As I walked along the wharf and looked over the Nansemond River, which was colored an odd purple by the light of the moon, I said to myself, What am I doing here? Dont come back., Like most of the Jews in Suffolk they treated me very kindly, truly warm and welcoming, as if I were one of them, which in an odd way I suppose I was. Ruths brother Sam is quiet and hardworking. . James was an African American boy who spent most of his life growing up in the projects of New York. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Aunt Betts is Ruth McBrides aunt and Hudiss sister. Word Count: 536. She has fewer conflicts with her father than Ruth does, and she is more Americanized from a young age. Ruth's grandmother on her mother's side, Bubeh, a diabetic, housed Ruth when she arrived in New York and worked in her aunt's leather factory. How did Mameh's family in New York think about Mameh's family in North Carolina? You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. The palpable threat to both blacks and Jews spurred the beginning of Ruth's lifelong dislike of the South. Ruths parents were polar opposites. Struggling with distance learning? on 50-99 accounts. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Helen is James's older sister and Ruth's daughter. Even in her contributions to this book, Ruth is at times reluctant to rehash her painful past. She was born in 1896 in Poland to a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family. $24.99 You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Convenient for use in the bathroom to keep a sponge handy for everyday messes. As a young man, he expresses his anger and confusion after his stepfathers death by taking drugs and turning to petty theft. The Color of Water explores many sensitive themes. She saw the Ku Klux Klan riding in their white hoods through the middle of town: "It seemed to me death was always around Suffolk." Thanks for checking out our website. In Harlem, Ruth met Dennis, a black man to whom she was immediately attracted. Dee-Dee was a shy, pretty girl, less strong-willed than Ruth. One of James's best adulthood friends, David Lee Preston is a Jewish reporter who invited Ruth to attend his traditional Jewish wedding. He physical, mentally and sexually abused Ruth at a young age. My own humanity was awakened, rising up to greet me with a handshake as I watched the first glimmers of sunlight peek over the horizon. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. A young black man living in one of the houses down the road behind the store, Peter became Ruth's first lover. Black-white relationships in the United States and how they were shaped by the civil rights/Black Power movements, Feeling comfortable with not only one's identity, but one's background and sense of self, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 04:09. Hunter Jordan Sr. James McBride s stepfather and Ruth s second husband. Tateh (Fishel Shilsky): Father of Rachel Shilsky, also known as Ruth McBride. Because of the heated racial atmosphere of the times, Peter and Ruth had to see one another secretly. She became a full-fledged hippie, and announced that "the white man's education is not for me." She had twelve children born to two husbands, Andrew Dennis McBride Sr. and Hunter Jordan Sr. More than anything read analysis of Ruth McBride-Jordan Andrew Dennis McBride Sr. James McBride 's biological father and Ruth 's first husband. Sam is Ruth's brother, two years older than Ruth. Teachers and parents! What does Ruth say she loves about "black folks"?109 6. We provide an educational supplement for better understanding of classic and contemporary literature. A penetrating loneliness covered me, lay on me so heavily I had to sit down and cover my face. Ruth did not want to discuss the painful details of her early family life when her abusive father, Tateh, lorded over her sweet-tempered and meek mother, Mameh ("tateh" and "mameh" are Yiddish terms of endearment for "father" and "mother," roughly equivalent to "daddy and "mommy"[1]). LYNX STS., VILLAGE EAST,EXEC HOMES CAINTA, RIZAL MARVIN EDGAR RABINO HADUCA colormerite.marketing@gmail.com IM0003290832 PETER PAUL COCONUT WATER CORP. 3 FLR JMT CORPORATE CONDO. James McBride describes his large and unique family and upbringing in his memoir/autobiography, The Color of Water . Ruth goes to school only because it is legally required. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He despises his handicapped wife and treats her with contempt though she is a good wife to him. He was racist, demanding, harsh, unloving, and greedy. For this same reason, since forgotten, Ruth knew how to drive before she was eighteen, when she would drive. PLAY. This place is so lonely. While force alone can lead a community, and the members can survive and still flourish under a dictatorship, the ideal "beloved community" is one in which harmony exists and tensions are overcome. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. God is the color of water. A good-natured furnace fireman for the New York Housing Authority, Hunter Jordan was Ruth's second husband and the father of the four youngest children. James McBride and The Color of Water Background. The oldest McBride brother, already an Ivy League medical student, was simultaneously a civil rights activist and union organizer. Want 100 or more? He sexually abused his daughter Ruth. During her early life, Ruth's father, Tateh, did not treat her and her family well. He becomes embarrassed by his mother's whiteness. dinnington high school alumni. schools, one for black townspeople, one for whites, and one for the Jewish community. Her second husband, Hunter Jordan, was father to four of Ruth's twelve children. Ruth's father. More Details. vrbo trip board comments; sysco teamsters contract; dr john gemma net worth. Ruth's only childhood friend in Suffolk. creating and saving your own notes as you read. In this section, James explores the theme of "community" in conjunction with the theme of "household governance", contrasting his mother's upbringing with his own. She explains that she thinks her lifelong, profound fear of death comes in part from her family's response to death, which was to repress any mention of it. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Ruth McBride-Jordan. Why won't Tateh buy his children new clothes?109 5. When Rachel was nineteen, as a the emphasis on schooling and religion is paramount. James knocks on a strangers door on a whim, and asks if the elderly black man living there knew the Shilsky family. She eventually returned home, but her conflict with Ruth had a large impact on. What is Mommy's attitude toward herself and black people? Water doesnt have a color.(Pg. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Tateh's constant harsh behavior towards Ruth and her family wore on her greatly. She hates the violent atmosphere. The segments about his mother, Ruth Shilsky, are narrated in the first person, so we have her "voice." How did Mameh's family in New York think about Mameh's family in North Carolina? Not speaking English, she depends on Ruth to translate for her. Helen is a strong-willed and pretty girl who runs away from home at the age of fifteen. She describes her older brother Sam, a sweet and somewhat timid boy who ran away from The. Subscribe now. | Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Jack's husband. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. When Ruth leaves to live her own life in New York, the mother, desperately ill, quickly dies. 100% . In the end, a woman stabbed him to death. Tateh was particularly hard on the timid, sensitive Sam, expecting expects him to fulfill many duties at the family store. vegan options at biltmore estate. Although Dennis dies while Ruth is pregnant with James, he is the main force in the lives of both James and Ruth. Ruth grew up under the thumb of a tyrant who not only disrespected his wife, but abused his daughter. Her son, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Although, and only friend, Frances. The Color of Water characters. All of Ruth's children thrive because of the values they learned growing up. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. During high school, when James rebelled against his mother and school, Ruth sent him to Kentucky to stay with Jack. Ruth sympathizes with the black people in her town. He tells Ruth never to return home if she marries a black man. Ruth died at her home in Ewing, New Jersey, on January 9, 2010.[2]. He ran away in 1934 at the age of 15 to Chicago, and wrote a letter home saying he had a job working in a store there.