the color of water essay. gray hardee

The Color of Water, written by James McBride tells a story about his struggles growing up as well as his mother Ruth's. Ruth was Jewish born and ended up losing touch with her family because she married a black man. Not only was it not tolerated by her parents that he was black, but also he wasn't Jewish. Ruth moved to Harlem, and raised 12 children. James grew up not understanding why his mother was a different color/race then he, therefore he had so many questions for Ruth, but she always gave him partial answers therefore he wouldn't grow up feeling discouraged that his mother was a different then all of the other black children's mothers. James McBride is a very influential author, he also has written in People Magazine, The Washington Post, and Boston Globe. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Essence, and Rolling Stone.


While James and his brothers and sisters were growing up they always had many questions for their mother about her childhood, however she never told them much at all. She kept it very secretive. Because she kept it so secretive her children didnt quite know what to think of themselves growing up. They didn't know anything a about themselves except there mother was white unlike all of the other black childrens' mothers. Ruth discouraged her children from being curious, she had always been a secretive person. For example when Peter got her pregnant, Ruth only told Peter, not her family. Secrets to her are things that just continue to haunt her even through her adulthood, secrets from her childhood. Such as Tateh's sexual abuse to her as a child. Ruth is a very interesting person. She starts off the story by telling James that she is "dead." What she means by this isn't that she is technically dead, but in the view of her family, she might as well be dead. Ruth's family basically disowned her for two reasons; for marrying a black man, and for not marrying someone of the Jewish faith. Ruth saying that she is "dead" is very related to her identity within the book. She through out the whole book never had a lot to do with her family.




Ruth's name changes through out the story of her life were very significant. Ruth was a Polish Jewish immigrant whose original name was Ruchel Dwajra Zylska. When she stated going to school in America she changed it to Rachel Deborah Shilsky because she didn't want people knowing she was from a forgien place and she thought it would make her fit in better. The last and final time she changed her name, she changed it to Ruth McBride Jordan, because she had been married twice at this point in her life and she wanted to have those last names. She also thought that name was the most Americanized of all of them.



Ruth and her father Tateh both raised their children in somewhat of a tyrant way. However, Ruth succeeded while her father failed. Ruth raised her children with the mentality of making sure they know everything they are going to face in life, where on the other hand Ruth's father Tateh, didn't do this at all. Tateh wasnt very involved with his family. He was a Jewish Rabbi and was always preaching, however he failed at being a Rabbi as well. He would sexually abuse his dauther Ruth, which no one should have to undergo in ones lifetime. One major thing that differed between the way they each raised their children was that Tateh was very racist and didn't approve of intermingling with other races, as where Ruth didn't let that influence her at all. Ruth raised her children always putting them first compared to her. There ways of parenting were very different, however, in some ways they are similar. They both made their children work therefore they understood the value of a dollar. Also, they were both very strict and had high standards. When James McBride recounted his mothers life it helped him grow up with a better perspective of life.

The title of the novel The Color of Water is very significant to what is within the story. What it is trying to portray is that race and religion is something that people should not be judged by because, we actually are all the same despite the color of our skin or whom we worship. People shoud be more like water, by understanding its all the same and there should be no dominate color, therefore water is clear.

Many historical events and people related to the racial battle happened in the life of James Mc Bride. One was Malcom X and the Black Panther, another was Martin Luther King Jr. Both of these individuals put a great impact on the tension on "black america."

The book The Color of Water I thought was a very good book. It was very easy to understand and they told everything how it really was. I liked being able to see both perspectives as well. This book relates to times now in some ways which is why i was interested in it. Also i thought it was interesting that part of it took place in our area. I suggest it to anyone who enjoys an easy laid back read, that also happens to be good and interesting.