Big Books of 2026
The Book of Ruth

Questions About The Book of Ruth

by Jane Hamilton

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Answered Questions (6)

I have only read about 40 pages, but why does the narrator use so many intelligent figures of speech if she is below average in intelligence?
Janice She is not below average intelligence, she is uneducated.
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Do we ever learn why Elmer walked away? There was very little spoken of the relationship between May & Elmer.
Josephine Briggs May told Ruth that he was sick and tired of the kids always fighting. Ruth, when a teenager, threw it in her mother's face that all her griping and co…moreMay told Ruth that he was sick and tired of the kids always fighting. Ruth, when a teenager, threw it in her mother's face that all her griping and complaining, plus her negativity about everything chased him away. He sent the kids money on birthdays but nothing for May.
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What does everyone make of Matt? Does he have Asperger's? Or is he just a genius who decides to ignore his family of origin to the greatest extent possible?
Aj I thought there were indications throughout the book that he might be gay, as well as incredibly smart. He definitely felt like he didn't fit into the…moreI thought there were indications throughout the book that he might be gay, as well as incredibly smart. He definitely felt like he didn't fit into the small town, and felt smothered by May's affection. He had to break out and found his place in the city and academia. He is an important character because his intelligence was nurtured, whereas Ruth's was not, causing her to end up staying in town and working at the dry cleaner's, and everything else in the book followed from her being stuck and purposeless. If her promise had been nurtured, she could have easily been off to a college campus and had more of the life she sees her Aunt Sid living and, upon her visit to Aunt Sid, can finally envision herself living.(less)
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Why does Ruth moon over Ruby after he tried to kill her? He beat her brutally, almost to death. Surprisingly, she doesn't miscarry her baby. She is angry and hateful toward all the nurses and doc tors plus everyone else who comes into contact with her.
Josephine Briggs Ruth's aunt always had her back, but unfortunately she only saw her seldomly. Ruby beat Ruth almost to death, but Ruth felt she deserved his beating. …moreRuth's aunt always had her back, but unfortunately she only saw her seldomly. Ruby beat Ruth almost to death, but Ruth felt she deserved his beating. Ruth, from when she was born, felt she deserved to be mistreated, her father seemed to love her, but he left. She is angry at her aunt, nurses and doctors because she is used to mistreatment. She doesn't deserve to be liked or treated like a decent human being. She was lucky the day she met Ruby.(less)
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Is there anyway explicit content (such as sex) in this book? I want to give it to my dad as a gift, but I'm hesitant.
Cathy There is sex, but not explicit, in my opinion. But over all, it's a book I wanted to talk about to someone who had read it. So I suggest you read it, …moreThere is sex, but not explicit, in my opinion. But over all, it's a book I wanted to talk about to someone who had read it. So I suggest you read it, give it to your dad, then talk about it with him.
I gave it to my mom and I'll be visiting her later this week and I intend to discuss it with her.(less)
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