The Color of Water - Discussion Questions

[Pamudika]

1. Where did James McBride get the title for his book?

[Pamudika]

I think there is a quote somewhere in the book that uses the phrase. From memory it is something that his mother says?

[Areeb]

When James asked his mother if God was black or white "What color is God's spirit?" Ruth replied, "It doesn't have a color…. God is the color of water."

[Pamudika]

I think that this is a fitting title as well because the novel is about his mother (and the title comes from his mother). It also reflects the racial issues the book discusses and their religious views.

[Areeb]

2. Why do you think James' mother kept her white Jewish heritage a secret? Have your parents had /kept a secret like that from you, would you be resentful? Was James?

[Pamudika]

I think that being estranged from her family - caused her a lot of pain/sorrow and she doesn't want to open up an old wound.

[Pamudika]

She made a new life for herself and sees no point in revisiting her past, especially if it was so painful for her. There is nothing left for her there. When she finally does - she gets panicky and doesn't handle the situation well. "Mommy began to get nervous and to talk excessively" (pg 273)

[Caspian]

She also completely changed her faith because of how difficult it was to be Jewish. This is part of the reason why she doesn't pay much attention to Jewish religion unless necessary (like when she is finding a school for her children)

[Areeb]

Ariel wrote: "2. Why do you think James' mother kept her white Jewish heritage a secret? Have your parents had /kept a secret like that from you, would you be resentful? Was James?"

Had that happened to me, I'd feel disappointed but also understand where my parents were coming from. I don't think James was resentful.

[Pamudika]

Caspian wrote: "She also completely changed her faith because of how difficult it was to be Jewish. This is part of the reason why she doesn't pay much attention to Jewish religion unless necessary (like when she ..."

Yeah, so with her renewed faith, maybe she doesn't see a need to return to her old life?

[Areeb]

3. Was Mrs. McBride successful in raising her children "color blind"?

[Pamudika]

Ariel wrote: "Ariel wrote: "2. Why do you think James' mother kept her white Jewish heritage a secret? Have your parents had /kept a secret like that from you, would you be resentful? Was James?"

Had that happe..."

Yeah I'd agree. I also feel as if I might have felt like I'd missed a part of who I was though.

[Pamudika]

Ariel wrote: "3. Was Mrs. McBride successful in raising her children "color blind"?"

I think that she wasn't really because her children realise, through experience, that in society there is some sort of difference between 'black' and 'white'. To survive in that society James and his siblings had to be cautious of 'white' people and even became slightly resentful of them.

[Areeb]

Pamudika wrote: "Ariel wrote: "3. Was Mrs. McBride successful in raising her children "color blind"?"

I think that she wasn't really because they realise, through experience, that in society there is some sort of ..."

James was also conflicted with his identity, feeling that his mixed race caused problems. So he wasn't really at ease with being "color blind".

[Caspian]

A3. I think that even though she tried to raise them in a "color blind" environment, she couldn't. Even though they had their 'own little world', reality conflicted with how Ruth wanted to raise them. This is evident in the Jewish schools they go to, the racist conflicts they have with the police

[Areeb]

4. What role did religion play in the upbringing of James and his 11 brothers and sisters? Do you think that the influence of the Baptists church or the Jewish faith was more influential?

[Pamudika]

5. In reading the alternating passages of Ruth and James, do you feel like you get to know one person better than the other? Who? In the end, is this a story about James or his mother? Or, can you even separate the two?

[Caspian]

The Baptist church played a much larger role in their lives. The children are heavily influenced by the church they go to every sunday, and God is repeated through most of the children in the books, such as when Jack tells James to place his faith in god.

[Areeb]

Pamudika wrote: "5. In reading the alternating passages of Ruth and James, do you feel like you get to know one person better than the other? Who? In the end, is this a story about James or his mother? Or, can you ..."

I feel like the two perspectives balanced each other out. James' perspective helped us identify with his mother and him and Ruth's perspectives had the same effect.

[Pamudika]

6. Why did Ruth turn her back on everything she knew and begin such a radically different life? Would it be easier or more difficult to make a similar transition today?

[Caspian]

Pamudika wrote: "6. Why did Ruth turn her back on everything she knew and begin such a radically different life? Would it be easier or more difficult to make a similar transition today?"

This is because she was basically living under and iron fist- even though she cared deeply for her sister and her mother her father was to abusive for her to want to stay there. This is also at a point of time when Ruth was certainly more rebellious- she would often go against what her father would say and enter a romantic relationship with a black person. This kind of transition is most likely far more difficult today- IDs are too valuable, transports and living is a lot more expensive now and even the simplicity of tracking people with phones makes sudden transitions like what Ruth did then would be really difficult now. (of course, my answer to the second question is purely opinion though :P )

[Pamudika]

Caspian wrote: "Pamudika wrote: "6. Why did Ruth turn her back on everything she knew and begin such a radically different life? Would it be easier or more difficult to make a similar transition today?"

This is b..."

Yes and her faith in God seemed to help her along the away as well. She also realised that the black side of her family were more willing to act like a family when compared to the white side.

[Pamudika]

YAY so we finished the 6 questions, if you would like to add anything more or ask any other questions - feel free to :)

[Caspian]

Yayy!!! Good work team!! :)

[H.]

Absolutely amazing memoir. It is poignant, powerful and filled with life and God's presence. It is arguably the finest memoir I will ever read.

H Rubin, Author of "Look Backward Angel", an ebook/memoir available through Amazon