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This week's reading chuck felt like peering into a glass to see the lengths to which our characters have come. His mother who formerly made every effort to ignore racial and identity-related concerns, made amends and put the events of her past behind her as she made her first trip back to Suffolk since she was a little girl. James also started to think that his lack of understanding regarding his ethnic and cultural background would eventually prevent him from being happy and self-aware. His quest to learn more about his background became the crucial riddle that needed to be solved. He was able to embrace and share his Jewish history with his children.

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1. Why do people share their stories?

There are several reasons why people express their experiences. Examples include connecting and communicating with people, empathizing with them, finding common ground, and discovering one's own voice. I believe McBride was targeting young viewers that are unfamiliar with their heritage. To demonstrate that they are not alone and that there are other individuals who are also going trying to find themselves. I also feel Mcbride wants the outside world to get insight into the societal difficulties highlighted in the book. Discrimination, socioeconomic status, religion/belief, and the political landscape are some examples. We had the opportunity to learn about how these societal concerns have an effect people.

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James reflects on his father's life and legacy as he commemorates church. And James read off a slip of paper, "Anyone who has ever revisited the place of his birth after years of absence is shocked by the differences between the way the place actually is, and the way he has remembered it (Mcbride, 167)". This scene particularly resonated with me since I firmly believe in messages delivered from heaven, as a result it was encouraging to see James find the biblical passages Dennis had left behind. It's almost as if he's being told to stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on what's directly in front of him.

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Which behaviors of the characters are conscious ones? Which are unconscious?

Walking near the river allowed James to establish a connection with his roots. One of the most powerful pictures in the entire novel. He was able to connect to Hudis Shilsky (his grandma) and could envision her existence with great vividness. This gave her memories a bittersweet feeling. Although James reflected on Mameh's hardships, he also recognized her courage and compassion, which she brought out in her kids and grandkids. This gave him the opportunity to honor his history while putting it behind him.

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What experiences do you share with the characters?

This week's reading portion was particularly meaningful to me. I felt a strong connection to Ruth and her mother. Specifically, in the chapter "A Bird Who Flies". We had a greater understanding of Ruth's mother's intentions. I believe Ruth's mother, like any caring mother, wants her children to succeed. This chapter made me feel a lot of emotion. Such as the depth of Hudis Shilsky's love for Ruth and the grief and remorse Ruth felt at not being able to be there for her.

In what ways is your family similar or different from those in the book?

Hudis Shilsky has shown us throughout the chapters how she has remained a loving Jewish wife, taking care of her husband's needs in the kitchen and house, despite his extreme rudeness toward her and her children. I believe that many women from older, more conventional times will marry till death do us part, even if it makes them unhappy. My grandmother is one of the strongest, most caring people I know. She married at a young age, making a significant decision. But as we get older, we outgrow things, and that's normal. We are supposed to grow.

What did you learn about a character or group of people that you have not personally experienced?

I witnessed the unfair treatment of mixed-race couples. Because of social attitudes, I assumed they would likely receive offensive remarks, but I was surprised to see how frequently they were assaulted. As well as witnessing Ruth's father treat her like she wasn't his daughter, subsequently kicking her out of the family.

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Two people from different backgrounds fall in love but are discriminated against solely due to them being in an interracial relationship. Dennis and Ruth are only one example of two parties being condemned for dating each other. Someone of a certain race or ethnicity is continually socially pushed to stick with their own race. Couples who are mixed-race have been criticized for marrying individuals with distinct races. It can stem from one of them assuming they are better off than the other, however they might be enduring difficulties behind closed doors. And this is evident not only in this week's reading chunk, but throughout the novel.

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Ruth shares a recollection of seeing her mother, Mameh Hudis Shilsky, outside with chickens. When Mameh said, "A bird who flies is special. You would never trap a bird who flies (ch.21)". Authors are very particular about what they write in their books. He put this memory for the reason of encouraging readers to dig deeper and make an interpretation they can relate to the characters or even to themselves. I believe Mameh was the bird that had been trapped. Ruth's mother was chained in a deteriorating marriage with a body that was gradually failing her. Mameh understood Ruth was a flying bird, and she knew she needed to return to New York City in order to become liberated.

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1. How are class differences presented in the work? Are the characters aware or unaware of the economic and social forces that affect their lives?

As we progress through the Color of Water, we can observe how their economic status influences their lifestyle. Ruth is having difficulty determining whether or not to leave her home, as we can see in the chapter Moving to Delaware. I believe she was having an inner battle over finance with herself since she kept going back and forth on her decision. When they eventually relocate, Ruth is determined to provide her children with the best possible education but lacks the necessary funds. Fast forward, James was chosen for a jazz a trip to Europe. A wealthy couple supported their trip. However, in exchange for his fully paid trip, James had to organize parties and labor in the field.

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1. How might readers in different time periods or of different ages interpret the text?

I think people who lived in the 1960's could relate to what was happening in the book.

2. What was the work’s original intended audience? To what extent are you similar or different from that audience?

I think this author is trying to react to young adults who may have had an identity crisis and are trying to find out more about themselves.

3. Which of your personal experiences or memories is affecting your perceptions of the story?

In Chapter 10, page 103, James wrote "I thought it would be easier if we were just one color, black or white" and I could relate to that. Growing up in a Mexican household and then going into an American school was confusing. The more I attended the school the more I was able to adapt to the English language. I couldn't help but feel like I had to fit in one culture, one ethnicity, one color, one world but as I grew old I found people who went through a similar situation. And that's when I started to "feel privileged to have come from two worlds" like James.

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1. Is there a relationship between the beginning and the end of the story?

Yes, a connection between James and Ruth is evident throughout the novel. Each story/memory was chosen in such a manner that they all tie together. They have distinct perspectives but comparable problems. To give a clearer illustration of what I mean, consider Ruth, who found it difficult to comprehend how her family dealt with death because of their Judaism, which teaches them to essentially keep to themselves and never ask questions. From James' perspective, he also faces challenges related to his identity and ethnicity. His mother, Ruth, makes the decision not to give in to her children's requests to learn more about their past, just like her own parents did. She was raised with the expectation that she would be obedient and not ask questions. We can see, in my opinion, how she has kind of carried that standard to her children.

2. What tone and mood are created at various parts of the work?

We can see the different tones within the characters. For example, Ruth, the mom of James, uses the tone of resentment and sorrowfulness when she speaks of her mother. The author's selection of words and information expresses tone.

3. How effective is the author’s use of dialogue?

Dialogue helps to drive a story's plot, develop characters, and give insight. Dialogue helps authors to express themselves authentically.

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Ruth, our narrator's mother, begins by describing her upbringing, religious beliefs, and name(s). Her name changes because she does not recognize herself as Ruchel Dwarja Zylska or Rachel Shilsky. "She had to die in order for me, the rest of me, to live. (James McBride, 1)" . Despite the fact that this is only the opening page of the book, this quote makes a powerful message. It provides readers a sense of what Ruth may have been going through and who was truly preventing her from living freely.

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We saw a lot of the societal problems the James family has encountered in this week's reading assignment. such as education, religion, and social status. However, because the topic of religion has come up frequently in our reading section, I would like to go more into it. Ruth was a Jewish immigrant from Poland who had trouble adjusting to school. Although she claimed that because she was white, she was granted certain advantages, it did not stop children from criticizing her religious views. She talks about how difficult it was for her to blend in since she wasn't sure what she was attempting to fit into. She wasn't sure where her beliefs lay.

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What experiences do you share with the characters?

I think I could relate to James in this section because I want to understand more about my ethnicity and heritage at one point.

In what ways is your family similar or different from those in the book?

I mean, my mom is the eldest of six children. At such a young age, had to assume the duty of providing for the family. Ruth discussed how her elder brother Sam "worked like a man as boy (James McBride, 60)". And a lot of elder siblings, in my opinion, bear the burden of having to support or care for their family at such a young age.

What did you learn about a character or group of people that you have not personally experienced?

I've never felt my family's reluctance to reveal their origins. I believe that James's lack of knowledge about his origins has an impact on his perspective throughout this section.

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What experiences do you share with the characters?

I discussed how I connected with the characters—especially James—in this week's questions. I said how I felt connected with the wish to blend in with one particular world. But then I realized that I am a part of two worlds and that I don't have to fit into one of them strictly.

In what ways is your family similar or different from those in the book?

My parents were raised in a large family. They were continuously relocating from houses, schools, friends, and relatives.

What did you learn about a character or group of people that you have not personally experienced?

How difficult it was for individuals to try to live their lives in the 1920s. How many families chose to remain hidden in their houses in order to escape the terrible group that was harassing them.

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According to James McBride, his mother in particular was not materialistic and thought that education was the most essential thing in life. He elaborates on his parents' statements that knowledge is the ultimate wealth. McBride also recalls his mother reminding him, "What is money if your mind is empty!" "Educate your mind!". My parents, who are immigrants, share the belief that money has no worth without an education.

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We looked at how several societal problems, such race and ethnicity, education, and the political environment, are addressed in this week's reading material. I wanted to concentrate on the racial and political context that Ruth has encountered. Ruth talked about, for instance, how the Ku Klux Klan, a racist organization, murdered innocent people in the 1920s based only on their physical characteristics, such as the color of their skin. The connections between these two socioeconomic issues are evident. For many people, the KKK created a violent and cruel environment. She also described how her father overcharged black customers and practiced discrimination.