Duncan Wenzel - The Color of Water by Duncan Wenzel-146005595

Personal Reflection

146005595 — 2024-01-24 20:34:41 UTC

In what ways was this chunk a window or a mirror? Use the following questions to guide your response, but really we want to hear your personal thoughts and reactions to this chunk!

What experiences do you share with the characters?
In what ways is your family similar or different from those in the book?
What did you learn about a character or group of people that you have not personally experienced?

Social Issue

146005595 — 2024-01-24 20:34:41 UTC

Choose at least one of the following social issues that were present in this reading chunk. Discuss how this social force was present in a characters life. (Your response should be at least 5-6 sentences).

Social Class
Race/Ethnicity
Religion
Education
Culture
Health
Political Landscape

Quote

146005595 — 2024-01-24 20:34:41 UTC

The quote that stuck out to me the most was, "God is the color of water. Water doesn't have a color." This quote is not only important because it features the title of the novel, but it was told to a young James and it made him realize that God is not a specific thing. He is something that loves everything. This helps James learn at a young age that race and ethnicity doesn't matter, it matters what kind of person you are.

Formalist Lens

146005595 — 2024-01-24 20:34:41 UTC

Question 3: A significant event within the story was when a young James grew more and more curious about God. He asks his mother what God's color was. His mother just said that He had no color, that He was the color of water. I think the purpose of this was to show that his mother was teaching him at a young age how race doesn't matter.

Question 6: The author uses pathos to enhance the story when using his mother's point of view when she was a young girl. She explains how her father would go to her at night and molest her. This enhances the story by making the reader feel bad for the mom and hope that she has better experiences.

Question 9: James McBride's use of dialogue creates a more personal story to follow. It allows the reader to better engage with the story. The dialogue puts us in his or his mother's shoes.

Reader-Response Lens

146005595 — 2024-02-02 21:47:15 UTC

Question

Personal Reflection

146005595 — 2024-02-02 21:47:31 UTC

Social Issue

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Quote

146005595 — 2024-02-02 21:48:00 UTC

Quote

146005595 — 2024-02-09 21:08:52 UTC

The quote

Social Issue

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Personal Reflection

146005595 — 2024-02-09 21:09:07 UTC

Social Class Lens

146005595 — 2024-02-09 21:09:26 UTC

Question 2: The economic conditions shown in The Color of Water determine the life of one character in particular, that being James' mother Ruth. After moving to New York, and quitting the job given to her from her aunt, Ruth wished to be a hair stylist or manicurist. She found a manicurist job and started to become friends with the owner of the place. He was a pimp and she was so desperate for money that she almost went into that line of work.

End of Memoir Reflection

146005595 — 2024-02-23 21:59:09 UTC