Pat, Kristina, Jostlyn, Jessica, Annemarie, Ashley 

Assignment for April 1-2

What is the main character in your book like? Describe him using words and phrases from the book. Record them here along with page numbers (43).

James is the main character in this novel. He is trying to discover his mother's past and where she came from. He shows signs of worry about his mother and his brothers and sisters. He wants to find out about the past and where he originally came from, his grandparents and his fathers. James wants to figure out why his mother is the way she is and why she raises them so differently than the other ordianry families in the neighborhood. He is curious about his mother's actions towards the diversity of the family and how it affects her being white.

Ruth/ Rachel is the main character in this novel as well. She has gone through alt of hardships in her past. She was made fun of alot because of her religious background. She was molested as child and despite this she came to be a normal human being. She raised 12 children and is trying to raise them better. Ruth is trying to overcome her past and keep in there. She doesn't about the color of her skin or how people act towards her. She is a very private person and doesn't share much with others. We will continue to see what her past shows about the person she is today.

What important thoughts and feelings does the character have? Use words and phrases from the book in your answer. Record them here along with page numbers (43).

 James has many important thoughts and feelings. He wants a better understanding of his mother's life and what she has doen in the past. He wants to know why everyone sees him as an alien because his mother is white and jewish. Diversity comes across James as an embarassing triat. He sometimes is ashamed of his mother because she is white and doesn't want her to be judge by others. James is feeling confused and alone in situations involving race or religion. He has many questions and is trying to find all of the answers.

Ruth/Rachel has many important thoughts and feelings. She believes in education is the most important thing in life and nothing comes without it. She doesn't carea bout being poor but as long as her children have the best education possible, she is happy. The diversity doesn't affect her as much as James and she doesn't let it bother her when it does occur. She ignores all comments towards her and looks for the better things in life. Ruth/Rachel is feeling alone because she is hiding the past from everyone. She doesn't want to let her self out to the world and won't answer to any questions involving race or discrimination.

At this point in the book, how does the main character define who he is? Part of the idea of alienation and isolation comes as people struggle to find their identity. Find several quotes from the novel that illustrate this struggle for identity. List the quotes (with page numbers) and explain how they show this struggle.

"Rachel Deborah Shilsky could drive a car and pull a trailer behind it, but Ruth McBride Jordan had never touched a steering wheel before that day in 1973, and you can make book on it." (168)

This passage from the book is important and stands out to me. This is because Ruth/Rachel and two different people. She is now revealing to her son that she isn't the same person she was in her past. She is telling him how one person was brave and could do anything, like drive the car. The second person and more reserved and doesn't involve herself in anything she used to do in the past. This passage is showing the reader how you could compare James' reactiuons towards different races and how Rachel/Ruth feels and what she did about it. she is a completely different person and maybe it is for the better in the end. - Kristina Ruotolo

Lightning Presentation The Color of Water.pptx