Student Question
What contributes to Ruth's children's success in "The Color of Water"?
Quick answer:
Ruth's children's success is largely attributed to her emphasis on education, as highlighted in The Color of Water. Ruth was determined to get her children into college and insisted on excellent grades, reflecting her immigrant values of excellence and belief in education. She actively participated in their schooling to ensure they attended the best public schools. Other contributing factors included hard work and a religious upbringing, both frequently mentioned in the book.
One major factor in the success of Ruth's children was education. McBride makes many references to this in the book. For example, he says she was "forcing us into college through sheer willpower" (3), and "She insisted on...excellent school grades..." (20). A short time later he makes reference to his mother's "immigrant" values, including "a focus on excellence" and "a deep belief...in education (21). In Chapter 10, "School," her attitudes and beliefs about education are discussed at greater length. She insists on being involved in every apect of the children's schooling and uses every avenue to ensure that they are placed in the best public schools.
There are, of course, other factors that contributed to the children's success, for example, hard work and a religious upbringing. There are many references to each of these in the book, as well.
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