Sunday, May 1, 2011
Short Review of Color of Water
The Color of Water by James McBride is a memoir of his and his mother's life. James was an African American boy who spent most of his life growing up in the projects of New York. 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. Ruth Jordan is the main charcter throughout the story and she not only battled racism but she also faced poverty to raise her children. Color of Water was a testament to one women' s trueheart, her solid values, and it will be impossible to defeat her will. This story addresses racial identity with true insight and realism on how our world really is with treating the other color. The Color of Water is a very inspiring story and once you finish this book, you will see how this one individual raised her 12 black children and faith in her heart the entire time.
what is the topic/who is the topic
The main topic of this book is to see how our world faces racism and how one will deal with that for the rest of their life because they are not white and they are colored. Everyday individuals face poverty and racism towards them because they are not like the others are. In this story especially, there is one family that lives in a white community and they are black. One women will take on one journey that will have her life changed forever. Ruth Jordan, is a white women who married a black man and will dedicate herself to her 12 black children. They will all face racism and poverty.
Timeline of events critical to the book
The Color of Water follows a loosely chronological path in recounting Ruth's and Jame's linves. James McBride does not strictly follow chronology. James jumps back and forth in time. The author focus' more one themes than it does on chronology. James does no tell the story of his past, but he speaks of his feelings and perspective of his thoughts. These next four themes are the major subjects that were dicussed throughout the book :
1st- James wants to figure out the past by understanding the present and future.
2nd- The biggest thing Ruth and James faced were racism towards them and their family.
3rd- Ruth has a self-reliance and self- motivation. She tries her best to find jobs in the New York City Community fitting in with the colored ones. She also insists on work and education for her children.
4th- James knew there were secrets that his mom was keeping from him. James wanted to know more about his mother's past but she would just simply say, " i'm the color of water".
1st- James wants to figure out the past by understanding the present and future.
2nd- The biggest thing Ruth and James faced were racism towards them and their family.
3rd- Ruth has a self-reliance and self- motivation. She tries her best to find jobs in the New York City Community fitting in with the colored ones. She also insists on work and education for her children.
4th- James knew there were secrets that his mom was keeping from him. James wanted to know more about his mother's past but she would just simply say, " i'm the color of water".
Sources (go at bottom of blog)
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Color of Water.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 13 Apr. 2011
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/colorofwater/context.html
Civil Rights Movement
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
The Color of Water themes
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-color-of-water/study-guide/major-themes/
McBride, James. "The Color of Water." New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1996
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/colorofwater/context.html
Civil Rights Movement
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html
The Color of Water themes
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-color-of-water/study-guide/major-themes/
McBride, James. "The Color of Water." New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1996
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