What role does religion play in chapters 5 and 6? In what ways is religion used similarly in the two families? In what ways is the emphasis on religion different?
In chapter 5 & 6 religion is a big roll in these chapters. Both chapter 5 & 6 both have preachers in common. They both have preachers as a big part because they talk about preachers a lot. In chapter 5 it was about Rachel and her father being a preacher but also being a rabbi. In chapter 6 they talk about one of Jame's father being a preacher before. They both had their ups and downs. in chapter 5, Rachel's father had a contract which would never be renewed, so the family had to keep moving to different homes, so that the father would have a job. In chapter 6 James father who used to be a preacher is dead.
Chapter 5 & 6 both have differences. In chapter 5 Rachel's family was Jewish and his father was a rabbi. In chapter 6 Jame's family they were christian so they had church. There was not a rabbi like in Rachel's family. They both had Ups and Downs as well. In chapter 5, they wouldn't have to go to church but they had to keep moving from home to home. In chapter 6, Ruth had to bring six children to church and everyone called her something different because it didn't matter because she was white.
In chapter five religion is something that you have to practice. It’s basically an unwritten rule or a law. Its something forced on the kids. Being Jewish was a way of life with many strict rules. It was like one big barricade for Rachel. She mentioned how every night her siblings and herself would read from the bible and if they got something wrong they would get hit or receive a beating. Its understandable why Rachel hated being Jewish. There was no god she believed in, it brought her no hope, and it was something she had to be perfect at when Rachel really knew it was impossible to be perfect. In chapter six James talks about his mother and church. Rachel was in love with god. Throughout her life she has had no one she could believe in or trust and now since she converted she has had so much faith. Being Christian brought her out of her misery. She knew all of the lyrics to all of the religious songs. When I think of Rachel being in church it feels like its Rachel’s home. It’s the only place that Rachel is not scared of anyone and it’s not a place where she has stress. It’s a place to believe. In both chapters religion was a way of life. Being Christian was a way of life for Rachel and being Jewish was a way of life for her father. Even though both religions were a way of life. They were practiced in different ways. In Rachel’s family as an adult being Christian you had more freedom. The only rule was that you have to have faith in something. In Rachel’s family as a child, religion was something that had many strict rules and was lived and breathed. Every day their was no way around being Jewish. There was some rule that you would have to follow. I think that this is the reason Rachel hated being Jewish. It was forced upon her. It was not a choice. Rachel’s did not have any choices in life, which is part of the reason why she hated her child hood so much.
For both families, religion seems to provide guidance and leadership. This is true in a more literal way in the Jewish family, because Judaism provides a job for the father, and leads them to different parts of the country. Although the mother of rachel wants to move to somewhere close to her family, she ultimatley decides that the father's job relating to religion, and having a place to practice religion is more important. The guidance religion provides in Rachel's second family seems to be more of a guidance for wellbeing. She relies on church mainly to find a place to be happy. Religion guides her to joy and happiness, whereas in the rest of her life she feels more sullen and sad.
The differences in the two households are primarily based on strictness. Rachel's first family see's religion as a source of rules. The women in the family do not have as much power as the men in the family, hence the unrequited love between Rachel's parents, and the abuse from Rachel's father. These rules are enforced because of what religion has told them, and how religion guides them. In Rachel's second family, church for her is a source of freedom. The son observes the fact that he has never seen her mother so happy before. Her love for church is almost like the love for her bike. They both give her freedom.
In Chapters 5 and 6, the religion plays a big role. It was a law from a higher entity or entities, or being apparently written down by someone who could understand that entity or entities. Religion's role in the chapters are the reasons to have faith in something.
In both Judaism and Christianity, both have rules you are supposed to follow. One is that you may not sin. This rule is of unanimous decision between both religions. This is unimpressive because they both were from the same roots.
One major difference between the two religions is the difference in diets. Jewish families eat kosher, when Christians have a less restricted freedom. Another is the way they preach religion. In Christianity, they are much more open then in Judaism (from what I got from the reading).
The emphasis in church for Christianity is much more joyous and appraising. The preacher from James's church had been louder, more open, and was repetitive. However because of this, it was more spirited. I believe that is why Ruth changed to Christianity and had more faith, a big role in the two chapters.
I think in both families, religion plays a big role. First of all both families have clergymen so the families are pretty religious. Rachel hated how religious her family was and that’s part of the reason she left. She felt that being orthodox Jewish her family had too many rules and was not open enough. Rachel also felt that Judaism was being forced on her and she did not accept it. But then as a mother she forces Christianity on her children. For example if they do not memorize a portion of the bible they are beaten.
I think with out knowing Rachel is in some ways raising her kids the same way she was raised. Although in some ways she is much different when it comes to religion there are many similarities between Rachel’s childhood and her children’s childhood. I think this is forgivable because Rachel only knew how to be a parent from watching her mother and father. Even if she told herself she would never raise her kids like they did, she knew no other way to teach them.
I think the main difference between how the two religions are viewed is how Rachel feels about them. When she talks about Christianity she is very favorable saying “He taught me about a God who lifted me up and forgave me and made me new” and “I was reborn in Christ.” When she talks Judaism she is very unfavorable.
Overall I think Rachel believes that her kids are having a much better experience with religion because they are Christian. But the kids seem to be having almost the same experience with religion that Rachel had.
Religion is the theme in both chapters five and six, or "The Old Testament" and "The New Testament". In chapter five Ruth explains what it was like when she was a jew and her father's occupation as a traveling rabbi. She talks about how her religious life affected her everday life and how in the end she never really had an "everyday life". When Ruth was a jew she felt very restricted, but when she met Mr. McBride her life changed. Ruth says that she had very low self esteem as a child for many reasons, but one in particular was that she was mocked because she was a jew. When she and her family moved to Virginia, the community wasn't very welcoming. When Ruth met Mr. McBride, she was in a very unstable place. Mr. McBride showed her Christianity and she was saved. When Ruth converted to Christianity she seemed to become a much happier person. She was free to be herself. Those restrictions that she had as a Jew dissapeared. In both Ruth's old family and new family, religion is very important. It is arguably the most important aspect of her. In both families, religion is equally emphasised, but in Ruth's new family it is emphasised, but not enforced.
In chapters 5 and 6 religion is a huge thing practiced by this family that is forced on the children and taught in the towns that they lived in. I think that these two family's are the same because they both practice religion.I think that these families are different because they practice two different religions that allow them to do different things and not do different things. These religions show how they guide and lead these families.
In chapter 5 Rachel talks about how her father being a preacher but also a rabbi made her have to move around a lot and it changed the way that people thought of her family. In the middle/end of chapter 5 it talks about how the synagogue got rid of her father because they didn't want him to build up that store on the black side of town. I think that Rachel's family's religion led them to be strong but the kids in the family didn't really believe in what they were being taught. This family thought of their religion largely and drilled it into their kids heads.
In James's family religion is also thought about largely too but this family thinks of being who they are as a privilege and the other as a must. This family takes their religion very seriously but at the same time information isn't drilled into their heads. - Oni
Hi, its Stef. In chapters 5 and 6, religion plays a very important role, and that is the role of love. Religion plays the role of love, because in both James's family and his mother's family, love is provided by religion. In James's mother's family, she has a father who only cares about money, and is constantly moving around just to get money. He opens a store, and forces everyone in the family to run the store whenever it is open. Her father is constantly teasing her mother for being disabled, and does not listen to anything she says. Because of religion, Every member of the family has love. In James's family, James and all of his twelve siblings have to share one mother, who is white while they are black. Both of his mother's husbands are dead. His mother lives in a black neighborhood, and acts as though she is black, but is white. Whenever the family goes to church, though, James's unhappy mother becomes happy, and is filled with love. In the two families this novel focuses on, religion is a very important part of their everyday lives, and their uses for it have similarities and differences. They are similar, because in both families, the children like the religion, but are not crazy about it, nor does it take up most of their lives. In both families, the mother is different in some way, and uses religion to keep them going through life, even though they both have a hard time while living. James likes his religion, just as his mother did when she was a child, but they do not let it take up their entire lives, or interfere with their lives. It is just something they follow. Both of their mothers are different from everyone else, James's mother being white in a black world, and her mother being disabled, and see their religion as their life, and what keeps them going. The way that the two families are different when it comes to religion is how the father intertwines with the religion. In James's family, the father showed his mother Christianity, and she thought that it saved her life. They started a church, and they both loved being Christians. In James's mothers family, the father uses religion for money. He is constantly moving around with his family, acting as a Rabbi in many different synagogues.
In both chapters, it explains the family's religion. FIrst for Rachel's family, they were very kosher and her father was a preacher.Her family moved so many times that she can't even remember all the places she has been. The chapters tell you how much Rachel hated being Jewish. There were so many traditions to follow, too many. When she met James' father she felt reborn. "Your father had chnaged my life. He taught me about a God who lifted me up and forgave me and made me new." She stayed Chritian and her family was CHristian. She took this religion very seriously. James explained how he would be next to women crying and agreeing to that reverand. He saw his mather crying and he asked why. She said she was crying out of joy. It wasn't just her who was very serious about the religion, it was the whole family. They would go to Sunday school learning about the religion. James' older brother had once had to memorize part of the Bible in front of the whole church. He had completly forgotten and his mother gave him a beating. Both religions were very serious to both familes, but it changed them to be a different person. Christianity changed Rachel being more open, where as a child she had low self eestem because of her father. Yes, both religions were taken seriously because both families believed in the religions very strongly.
Religion is important in both families because they depend on their religion for hope. Both families use religion for hope. Religion is the thing that keeps the family together. For the Jewish family when they move and move after their father is done with is contract they have a g=hard time and they are afraid of their father so they try to get their religion right. For the Christian family their religion is where they all can spend time with their parents. When they are not at church they do not really get along well.
Religion is a significant factor in “The Color of Water.” (Chapters 5-6) as it acts as both a consolation for Ruth but it also acts as an antagonist in her life. Though Ruth claims to have bettered her life through church it is the Spartan and unfeeling religious teachings she experienced during her childhood that turned her bitter. And though Ruth makes a great effort to conceal her past from her children, she is in fact constantly rereading the same scriptures that were forced upon her as a child. The contradictory manner in which she regards religion is a large factor in why her children feel so distant from their mother. Ruth does not explain to her children her seemingly enigmatic views regarding religion and why she eschews Orthodox Judaism but upholds its core principles. Because of this, her children feel constrained by the rules ( which are based on religious scripture) that are forced upon them. Though Ruth attempts to instill in her children faith and humility towards god, her children still do not have a definite view of what god is. Ruth herself felt constrained by religion during her own childhood. Therefore, religion takes on the role of being almost a tacit antagonist.
As a girl, Rachel was afraid of many things. For her, religion was not a way of connecting yourself to god, but having even more rules in a strict religious household. When she because a Christian, she broke away from rules other people were making for her, and made rules for herself. While she was young, religion was important, but forced upon you. As an adult, religion is still important, but she views it very differently. She now believes religion is a choice. If people do not respect you for your choice, then you should forget them. You should base your choice on what makes you happy.
James often sees his mother crying in church. Rachel tells him she cries because god makes her happy. Growing up without any say in anything made her realize how important it is to be religious and stay faithful, but to do it in a way that makes you happy.
For James, religion is frustrating. While being confused about race and skin color, he is confused about religion and god. He has so many people around him dealing with their confusion differently that he becomes confused himself. Religion is not that big a deal to him personally, but because it is to his mom, it becomes a big part of his life.
James sees that religion can save a person. God and Christianity saved his mother because god was a way of seeing that her life could be different. That though she was dead to her first family, she was the life of her second.
Religion plays an important part within the mothers family as well as when she was child. James’ mother might abandon Judaism but she carries the serious role in which religion plays within the family. The father to maintain power used religion when the mother was a child. The father would scare the kids threatening them with the wrath of god, which would harm them if they did not obey. The father would teach his children to remember the Old Testament. In the mother’s family when she is older however religion is used as a power structure as well and she finds it important for her kids to remember religion, she wants her kids to learn for their own benefit however. There is a difference however the power structure in which the mother creates is used to encourage the kids to get good grades and participate in church for themselves. While James’ Mother’s father used a power structure so as to convince the kids to do labor for his benefit, as well as giving him the power in which he sexually abuses the mother.
In the story religion is also used to conquer the dividing line of race in the mothers household. The mother using religion as a form of support, views us as all as god’s people rather then defining one by their ethnicity. The Mother’s father however uses religion to form a sense of superiority of others however. The spent his time in the store criticizing black for their race and well as their financial background
For both families religion was significant, but different. In chapter 5 when Rachel talks, she talks about how Judaism was forced upon her and how it made her feel limited and claustrophobic. Her dad was also a Rabbi and provided for the family so it made it seem as if Judaism was very important. When she had the opportunity to, she escaped her family and turned to Christianity. I think she wanted to get as far away from her parents as she could because of the way her dad and the way Judaism made her feel. He made Rachel feel insecure and lowered her self-esteem.
Rachel turned to Christianity and she became happy and spirited at church. Church also made her cry. James says that he felt they were tears of sadness but she claimed them to be tears of happiness. She took her religion very seriously and would punish the kids when they didn't. She would beat them if they forgot their stories from the bible. Rachel turned to Christianity as a way to get through and appreciate life and it took a while for the kids to appreciate it as much as she did.
In both families, religion plays an enormous role. In chapters 5 and 6 we learn of the importance of religion in both families. Both families enforce it on their children and make sure their whole family follows it. Religion is a huge deal on both families and it has a big impact on their lives.
For Rachel, religion is a cage. Judaism seems to be the reason she must move from place to place every year. The reason she is shunned and laughed at and made fun of in the South. It is the reason she must sit in the dark and do nothing every week. It has a very negative effect on her life. Her father abuses his religion. He uses it as a weapon and an excuse. In his twisted mind, he believes his religion grants him a right to use power. In his contempt and cruelty towards his wife, in his sexual abuse of Rachel and in his hatred he believes that his religion makes him a figure of respect and power. Mr. Shilsky is a source of great unhappiness for Rachel and the rest of the family. He uses religion to enforce and cultivate that unhappiness.
In James’ family, religion is a way of life, but it is not abused. In his descriptions of church, we see how spirited and free and even wild people could become. We see how his family embraces and loves God and how their mother draws courage from Christianity. Religion has a very positive impact on his life.
Religion has been very important to the family. It plays a rather significant part for all the turmoil going on around them, and also something that the family believes in and follows. But since James is now finding trouble within himself being different from his mom, yet he loves her so much, has a big question on who god really is.
In the mom's family, Judaism and all its traditions and customs were strongly enforced, and her father was a very bad rabbi and father. Judaism for the mom was also an invitation for trouble as she lives in a strict christian town which is not at all welcome to Jews, so she had been called names and mistreated. She was forced to switch to Christianity.
In James's family, religion was Christianity, and in the story played the role of being the model, or the leader for James's thoughts and actions. He believes that what god does is right, and was just about starting to realize that god is the "color of water". For the mom, Christianity has been a source of utmost enjoyment and spirit, and i think is because of all the troubles it had saved her from life.
It seems that religion plays a big role in everybody’s life. In Chapter five Rachel talks about her family who is poor and are orthodox Jews. In her family they take their religion very seriously. The rules are strict. When you are orthodox you have to celebrate Sabbath Friday through Saturday and children have to do things when they are told. Rachel’s father took their religion the most seriously. When Rachel was really young her father would molest her because she was a child and barley had any power to protect herself. Rachel became a Christian and married a black man who taught her about God and made her feel like a new person. In both of Rachel families she took whatever religion she followed seriously. She wanted her kids to believe what she believed in but that can’t all happen. But it seemed that at least the majority of her family followed in her footsteps. Each child viewed Christianity or God in there own way. They each follow the religion differently. In Rachel’s previous family followed Judaism in one specific direction.
In chapters 5 and 6 James' mother talks about her family life and about her parents, her father in particular. Her family was Jewish and she hated it. He didn't like all the strict rules traditions you had to follow and keep up with. To go along with that she hated her family. Her father abused her and was cruel to her mother and siblings. Judaism to her is unpleasant and brings bad memories. James' mother converted to Christianity after she met James' father. She said it saved her life and with out it she would be lost. Christianity brought back her self-esteem and her happiness. She felt freer and less restricted than she did when she was forced to comply with the rules Judaism. Judaism seemed to make her unhappy and ruin her life while Christianity saved her life and made her a happier person
Religion is a big factor of chapters five and six. In chapter five James interviews his mother, who tells him how her father was a rabbi, who traveled to many places, and one year got a deal at a synagogue in Suffolk, Virginia. When his contract was over, he bought a barn that he saw and was interested in, to run a store. Though he stopped working as a traveling Rabbi, he still did cultural jobs for money. For example he taught Hebrew to Jewish children in the town, and went to homes of Jewish families and performed the circumcising of their children. Despite all of the differences that they have, the two families in the book, both used religion as law. In Ruth’s father’s home, the children are forced to recite parts of the Old Testament during sessions with him. In her own home money wasn’t anything if there was no religion, and everyone in the household must put god first. Religion is used in different ways in both households mentioned in the book. If you are part of the Shilsky family, religion is enforced, and feared if not followed. If you are a part of the Jordan family, religion is very important, but does not have to be feared, sometimes even if not followed, though the children were usually scolded [if] they didn’t listen to god’s law, though they usually did.
In "The Color of Water," religion is a force which guides both families in their own directions. Regarding Rachel's family, it was done for money. Rachel's views on priests was skewed by her father's interpretation and his cold demeanor. This influenced her current view on priests, liking those who were old-fashioned and could bring the church alive without gimmicks. She liked priests who were genuine in their sermons, unlike her father. Rachel and her mother are alike, the both persevered through their bad experiences by remaining traditional. Their children were taught with mostly the same values and the children quietly rebelled.
In the case of Ruth’s family, religion seems to be what they are. Their lives revolve around religion. Her father was a rabbi and made his living by contracts with synagogues in different towns. Ruth seems to enjoy some of the rituals such as Passover; however, she does not respect her father at all. He was an abuser and treated the whole family badly. At one point, she married a Black man and converted to Christianity; which are the most likely reasons that she was ‘exiled’ from her family. The way she described the religious experience of her family in chapter 5 does not seem to be religious at all. Religion, as it appears in chapter 5, is only the family business. By contrast, in chapter 6, Ruth’s family’s religious experience is described as a joyful one. Their participation in church activities; from masses on Sundays to special occasions and celebrations, seem to be important to the entire family. Ruth’s relation with churches and pastors is described as essential. It is interesting that the chapters are titled The Old Testament and The New Testament, as if to put emphasis on Ruth’s conversion. The emphasis on the religious experience in the two chapters is more towards difference than similarity. She even says that the abuse by her father and her experience with her family left her with “low self-esteem” and that all that changed when she met her present husband, who was a preacher. The only similarity that I can find is that religion provides a sense of community in both cases. She mentioned living in Glens Falls and the community there. She also mentioned that while she was there her family seemed to come together well.
In these chapters, we learn about Orthodox Hews and Christians. Rachel had respect for her religion, but felt that being raised by her molesting father did not enhance anything. Rachel's father was a bad Rabbi, and the family had to relocate many times, possible diminishing the whole religious experience for Rachel. However, when Rachel was introduced to James' father, she found salvation in the father, the son, and the holy spirit. She felt a certain support system that she did not feel with her family's religion. To add to that, she felt that there is more freedom in being Christian.
Religion is a critical role in The Color Of Water. Religion is constantly discussed in the story. Though the two families have different religions, there are many similarities and differences throughout the role of religion. In chapter five, Ruth talks about a very difficult time in her childhood, and how religion was involved in her childhood. For Ruth, Religion has two roles for her, the role of her duty when she was a Jew. And the role of believing in someone and having someone to comfort in when she was a Christian. When Ruth is a Jew, her religion cages her, and her religion provides her no support or love. When Ruth converts to Christianity, Ruth has something to believe, she has something she can rely on for love and support.
In chapter six, James discusses his relationship with religion. James relationship is forced upon him. Though not as strictly as Ruth's religion is forced upon her. When James is younger, James is made to go to church every Sunday though he doesn't have the faith in his religion that his mother does. For James his Christian faith doesn't provide comfort to him, like it does for Ruth.
Religion has a very big role in both of the families. There are also many similarities dealing with religion between the two families. One example of a similarity is when James is talking about Ruth dragging the entire family along to church. This scene shows how Ruth is almost reflecting her childhood on her children's childhood.
Religion is fickle thing in Ruth's family and in Rachel's family.In Rachel's family, religion was ruined for her. For them, religion has been deformed an twisted by their father who is a rabbi. He used his rabbi given powers over them to control them. He made all the calls in the house, everything was called by him because not only was he the man of the house, but he was a rabbi.That meant he belled the plates, the food, he castrated the children, everything. He was in complete and utter power.Rachel was under the impression that it was Judaism that was not for her and that Judaism had too many rules and regulations, but it was her father not the religion. She could have been any religion as a kid and have hated it, because her father took complete and utter power over it. Her father might have been a preacher who was christian and forced his children to be christian. It could have been Christianity he twisted instead of Judaism. It was pure chance she was raised with Judaism and feel into the arms of Christianity.
In both families, religion plays a large role. Both families are pretty religious. However, in Rachel Shilsky’s family, religion seems to play a very, very, big role, in the way that it seems to almost be put in front of family and caring for each other. There is almost no love in her family anyways, her dad is sort of crazy, and even though she loves her mom, the family has basically fallen apart. In Ruth Mcbrides family, religion is also seen as something extremely important, however, Ruth cares for her children and loves them, and even thought the family isn’t as close as it could be, religion is not put at a higher ranking then family is. Rachel felt like she was unable to completely understand her religion, especially when her father was supposed to be a rabbi, a holy man, but he was frequently molesting her. Ruth, feels like she can easily understand Christianity and that the importance of it doesn’t get lost in its traditions, as does Rachel’s.
In Chapters 5, I feel like religion was like a disaster to Ruth’s family. It never quite went as planned, and always ended up falling apart sooner or later. For example, Ruth’s father was rabbi, and not a very good one at that! In this quote, Ruth talks about how her father’s job as a rabbi sent them packing, and forced them to go live somewhere else where they might not have wanted to.
“He wasn’t any different from the rest of those scoundrels on TV today except he preached in synagogues and he wasn’t so smooth talkin’. He was hard as a rock and it didn’t take long before the Jewish congregations figured him out and sent him on his way, so we traveled a lot when I was a young girl.” (page 37).
From this quote especially, you can really tell that from her father’s failures at his job, the arguing amongst her parents, and the sexual harassment she was receiving from her father, that Ruth probably wasn’t having a lot of fun as a child! It seemed like she wanted religion to be important in her family and she wanted to understand it and she wanted it to be perfect, and it just wasn’t. I also think that, while she was a Jew, she was going through a very hard time in her life, with things not working out perfectly and all……that’s why I think that when she grew up and became a Christian, she started to notice that things were starting to go better for her, and her life was taking a turn for the better. That’s why I think that when Ruth had a family of her own, it was the perfect opportunity for her to make going to church, understanding the religion of their practice and making everything about it perfect, a daily commitment.
Chapter 6, I feel was a lot different from what was happening in chapter 5, where nothing was going as planned and practicing her religion was more like a job and not a pleasure. I think chapter 6 was all about making things right, and finally having things the way Ruth wanted them to be.
In chapters five and six, religion plays the role of tradition. Traditions can be something that feels familiar and special. However, it can also be a burden that sits heavily upon a person's shoulders. At one point in Rachel's life her Judism was a burden to her because it made her feel trapped by all the don'ts and musn'ts. When she embraced a religion she prefered it made her feel a special connection with god.
In both families religion is essential to being a human being. In spite of how Rachel/Ruth strives to be different from her parents, she still insists upon making sure god plays a major role in her children's life. Such as when Billy fails to remember his bible verse on easter and she beats him for forgetting.
In Rachel's family religion is used to the teach kids how to behave. To the kids it's as if god will do something terrible to them if they put one toe out of line. I think that's the reason the chapter about the Shilsky's was called the "old testament" as in that version god is made to seem very strict.
In Ruth's family religion is percieved in the form of hope. James and his seven siblings learn that god is always there to guide them in the path of life. God loves every person on earth unconditionally no matter what choices they make. To the McBride family religion will set you free. This is shown when Ruth is singing in church. Her sound is bad but she is so happy about what she's singing about that the giggles of her children don't phase her.
Religion is a very important role in chapters 5 and 6. Both families use religion as a sense of hope. They gain knowledge and mind-power through religion. Religion is similar in both families because they enforce it into their children's daily lives. Without religion, there wouldn't be some sort of "family time." For Rachel Shilsky's family, their religion was Judaism. Her father was all about being Jewish and wanted the family to do all things Jewish. It was very strict, unlike James' family's religion. Rachel felt like she was trapped in a cage, like what Kai Williams said. Since Rachel was claustophobic and didn't like anything where you feel caged in, she didn't like Judaism either. She didn't have freedom. It was negative towards her life; which is why she has low self-esteem issues when she was a child and an adult. Ruth McBride/Jordan's family was different. One reason is because it was a different religion, it was Christianity. This religion was a lot more open and free to the children. When Rachel changed her name and her religion, she liked it a lot better than before. She loved God. When she went to church with her children, she would get all emotional and James would ask why she cries. Her response is that those are tears of joy, happniess and love, not sadness. Christianity had a nicer impact on her life than Judaism did. Both religions had celebrations that were a tradition to do, for example, Passover and Easter at the New Brown church. During Passover, Rachel's father would ask why you are celebrating Passover and if you didn't answer it, you would get smacked in the face. For Easter at the church, it was different. The children would recite a verse in the Bible and have it memorized. But for Billy, one of James' brothers, he messed up and got a beating from the mother because she takes her religion, God, and church seriously.
In chapter five, the role of religion is one that more decides who is the head of the family, than what you believe in. Chapter five focuses on Rachel Shilsky's (now Ruth) past life as a Jewish child living in the South. Her dad was a rabbi, but took advantage of him being a rabbi and using it against his family. In many parts of chapter five, its is talked about how Rachel's father takes charge of the family and treats himself as the king, and the rest of the family as his servants. I think that the father takes religion as a joke, and plays around with it. To the father, religion has no meaning besides him taking charge and telling his family what to do. In chapter five, the role of the religion is not used as what you believe in, but as to decide ones power in the family.
In chapter six, unlike chapter five, religion is more of something that is appreciated and is taken seriously. Because of Rachel's past life as a Jew, and what her religion was like, she wanted her kids to get a sense of freedom with their religion, unlike what she had gotten. Rachel didn't have religion to help her throughout her past because her father was the only person she was able to go to with questions about her religion, but since her father had molested her and took him being a rabbi as a joke, she felt no safety around him. Ruth wanted her children to feel a safety and closure with their lives, and for her to make sure of that, she forced religion upon them, whether they had wanted it or not. Throughout the whole book, I think that Ruth really focuses on her children's safety and giving them the safety that she had not gotten as a child. I feel that she hides them under her wing from the outside world to enable their safety.
I think that the similarities between both families is that they both push religion into their family. In Rachel's family, religion was pushed upon their family in a negative way. Meaning that instead of being like Ruth and forcing religion onto her children as a closure around them and for their safety, it was being forced upon Rachel as a way to define who was in charge. Although the way religion was being forced upon each family was different, it still was the same because neither of the family was able to choose their religion, only the "head" of the family had chosen for them. The difference is what I had already stated. Rachel's religion was being forced upon her by the father only being something to decide the powerful person of the family. Whereas in Ruth's, religion was still being forced ,but in a way that would put her children in safety. She wanted to cleanse the soul's of her children, unlike what her dad had done for her.
Religion plays a constant role in chapters 5 and 6. Throughout “The Color of Water,” both the White mother and the Black son’s lives are constantly changing. In the mother’s case, the family is always moving back and forth to different places and in the son’s case, life is always changing because he and his siblings endure many changes like the death of their father and stepfather. In both the mother’s and the son’s case, the changes force them to mature quickly. Religion is the only thing that stays the same. While the son and his sibling continue to change their opinions about religion, it is always there. For example, Richie does not stop believing in God, but he feels that Jesus should be grey. He does not like the fact that Jesus is considered white. The same question is raised about God, but their mother’s insistence that god is a “spirit” averts this question. God, she says, is the color of water.
In both families, religion is absolute and cannot be contradicted. For both, religion symbolizes how strict their families are. Just like you cannot argue with your parent you cannot argue with the word of God. In both families, religion is very important—whether religion is your only means to a job or whether it is what keeps you going.
The main difference between the Jewish and the Christian family is that in the Jewish family religion is associated with work and a patriarchal figure. In the Jewish family, their fear of their father is associated with their religion. Not only does he actually molest his children, but also symbolizes a lack of love. He only married his wife because it is advantageous to him. Also, for the Jewish family, religion symbolized leaving behind that which they love. Because of their father’s job (as a Rabbi), they are constantly forced to move and can never be truly happy.
In the Christian family, it is the opposite. Religion is associated with hope as well as with their diseased father. Their father is dead, but his memory lives on through religion. He was a preacher and they feel that they can remember him through religion. Also religion is not work. Religion is helpful, not painful. It helps them accept hard lives and helps them to make something out of themselves.
In the end, part of what makes the “Christian” family’s religious beliefs so successful is that it is a combination of both religions. It combines the total discipline of the Jewish faith with the joy that Christianity symbolizes. Since they are not forced to be too religious, Christianity is an escape that Judaism never could be. Being forced to be religious because of a job is very different from choosing to be. Finally their religion is the one thing about them that is normal. Since the mom is a White mom in a Black world and since she used to be a Jewish women in a Christian world, acceptance is not something that comes easily and this is the one thing about her family that seems normal.
In chapters 5 and 6, religion plays a big role. Religion is a main theme in both chapters and is what many of the memories are about. Both chapters have a strictness when it comes to religion. For example, in chapter 5, Mameh is perceived as the obedient jewish housewife and is a very traditional one too. There is a strictness to all of it and how Tateh is always the domineering one. Similarly in chapter 6, there is a strictness when it comes to religion as well. Church is an important thing to the mom and when Billy forgets his lines, he gets a harsh punishment.
There are many ways the emphasis on religion is different. In general, the author has a completely different aspect of both in the first place. Chapter 5 is called 'The old testament' while chapter 6 is called "The new testament'. Chapter 5 also has a gloomy view on the religion. It is the secret past that mom doesn't want to remember. Religion then, is viewed as an obligation. She had to be Jewish. Chapter 6 on the other hand is more present and is in the boys perspective. James McBride is more open to his past than the mother and immediately sets a happier mood. The emphasis on religion is happy, although maybe still strict, the mom wanted to be Christian. It wasn't an obligation but a choice. As McBride said, "Mommy loved God. She went to church each and every Sunday,"
Religion is very significant in chapters 5 and 6, but both families' method of religion is entirely different. In chapter 5, Ruth’s family, it is almost as if she is shackled, since her father obeys all rules of Judaism. The family constantly moves around the east coast, searching for synagogues where Tateh can preach in. By taking religion so literally, Ruth and her family are forced to read the Torah before bed, and must not make any mistakes without knowing that there will be consequences. Religion brings a sense of power to Tateh, feeling that he is superior to all of the members in his family because he is a preacher.
In chapter 6, focused on James McBride, Judaism is practiced informally. Although they are a very religious family, they aren’t constantly connecting methods of life to God. Instead of going to synagogue for religious purposes, they go for spiritual purposes.
Religion plays a big role especially for the mom. She is very religious mostly because she feels that she didn't really belong to her family who was jewish because her father sexually abused her and she thought the rules of being Jewish were too stressful and was too much to follow. Being jewish for her, in a way reminds her of her painful childhood. Her ex-husband, James' dad had her convert to catholicism and it effects the way she thinks and her beliefs. She tells her children to believe in god and love him. She got upset when James' brother forgot the words to a bible reading and was punished and disciplined when he got home.
In chapter five, it is showed that religion was really just an excuse. Ruth's dad would take her and the rest of her family around the country, looking for jobs as a rabbi just to get some money or food or clothes. It seemed that Ruth's dad never took religion seriously unless he was either able to gain something out of it or he was able to force his children in to doing something for him. For example, whenever he would find a job as a rabbi, he wouldn't act as if he was just happy to be teaching his religion, he would make sure that he gets payed for it. In the book it is said that he was a lousy rabbi, and that alone highlights that he barely cared about the actual religion.
In chapter six, religion turned into something else. Religion became more of a shelter or a safe haven for Ruth and her children. Church was a community that everyone belonged to and everyone was to be respected. Ruth felt a strong connection to this community, so she unintentionally became very church oriented. She holds the highest respect for the congregation, but also seems to not really fit in with everyone else who goes to church. She forces her children to participate in church weather or not they like it. In a way, religion plays a very similar role in both the chapters, but in chapter 6, with religion comes a little more freedom then when ruth was growing up.
Religion is very different but similar in these two chapters. Religion is a strict practice that seems to be pushed on the children in both chapters. The children seem to have no freedom when it comes to religion. As many of my peers said, Religion is used as a form of togetherness. It keeps the family close. I think both families have very hectic and crazy lives and their views are different and they don't agree on many things; Although, I think religion is the one thing they can agree on, its the one thing that keeps the family in one piece.
One difference between the families is obviously one family practices judaism and one christianity. I think the way they practice them and how they are taught to practice them separates one from another. Ex. In Judaism it seems more strict and straight forward while in Christianity, it seems more carefree.
Referring to a later quote religion is like the “power of the moon” in Rachel’s house. She has to do everything following the strict guidelines of Judaism. Things like eating kosher, leaving a seat out for the savior, and having special ceremonies for slaughtering the animals. It was non negotiable whether or not you were Jewish. You can see in later chapters as it becomes more evident when she leaves the religion and the family claims her to be dead. In James house religion is more like a gentle although it does affect part of what you do it is not a determining factor. You can choose to be apart of the breeze or deny it but at some point all must be moved or touched by it. Like when Ruth makes all of her children participate in the Christmas Pageant.
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In chapter 5 & 6 religion is a big roll in these chapters. Both chapter 5 & 6 both have preachers in common. They both have preachers as a big part because they talk about preachers a lot. In chapter 5 it was about Rachel and her father being a preacher but also being a rabbi. In chapter 6 they talk about one of Jame's father being a preacher before. They both had their ups and downs. in chapter 5, Rachel's father had a contract which would never be renewed, so the family had to keep moving to different homes, so that the father would have a job. In chapter 6 James father who used to be a preacher is dead.
Chapter 5 & 6 both have differences. In chapter 5 Rachel's family was Jewish and his father was a rabbi. In chapter 6 Jame's family they were christian so they had church. There was not a rabbi like in Rachel's family. They both had Ups and Downs as well. In chapter 5, they wouldn't have to go to church but they had to keep moving from home to home. In chapter 6, Ruth had to bring six children to church and everyone called her something different because it didn't matter because she was white.
In chapter five religion is something that you have to practice. It’s basically an unwritten rule or a law. Its something forced on the kids. Being Jewish was a way of life with many strict rules. It was like one big barricade for Rachel. She mentioned how every night her siblings and herself would read from the bible and if they got something wrong they would get hit or receive a beating.
Its understandable why Rachel hated being Jewish. There was no god she believed in, it brought her no hope, and it was something she had to be perfect at when Rachel really knew it was impossible to be perfect. In chapter six James talks about his mother and church. Rachel was in love with god. Throughout her life she has had no one she could believe in or trust and now since she converted she has had so much faith. Being Christian brought her out of her misery. She knew all of the lyrics to all of the religious songs.
When I think of Rachel being in church it feels like its Rachel’s home. It’s the only place that Rachel is not scared of anyone and it’s not a place where she has stress. It’s a place to believe. In both chapters religion was a way of life. Being Christian was a way of life for Rachel and being Jewish was a way of life for her father.
Even though both religions were a way of life. They were practiced in different ways. In Rachel’s family as an adult being Christian you had more freedom. The only rule was that you have to have faith in something. In Rachel’s family as a child, religion was something that had many strict rules and was lived and breathed. Every day their was no way around being Jewish. There was some rule that you would have to follow. I think that this is the reason Rachel hated being Jewish. It was forced upon her. It was not a choice. Rachel’s did not have any choices in life, which is part of the reason why she hated her child hood so much.
For both families, religion seems to provide guidance and leadership. This is true in a more literal way in the Jewish family, because Judaism provides a job for the father, and leads them to different parts of the country. Although the mother of rachel wants to move to somewhere close to her family, she ultimatley decides that the father's job relating to religion, and having a place to practice religion is more important. The guidance religion provides in Rachel's second family seems to be more of a guidance for wellbeing. She relies on church mainly to find a place to be happy. Religion guides her to joy and happiness, whereas in the rest of her life she feels more sullen and sad.
The differences in the two households are primarily based on strictness. Rachel's first family see's religion as a source of rules. The women in the family do not have as much power as the men in the family, hence the unrequited love between Rachel's parents, and the abuse from Rachel's father. These rules are enforced because of what religion has told them, and how religion guides them. In Rachel's second family, church for her is a source of freedom. The son observes the fact that he has never seen her mother so happy before. Her love for church is almost like the love for her bike. They both give her freedom.
In Chapters 5 and 6, the religion plays a big role. It was a law from a higher entity or entities, or being apparently written down by someone who could understand that entity or entities. Religion's role in the chapters are the reasons to have faith in something.
In both Judaism and Christianity, both have rules you are supposed to follow. One is that you may not sin. This rule is of unanimous decision between both religions. This is unimpressive because they both were from the same roots.
One major difference between the two religions is the difference in diets. Jewish families eat kosher, when Christians have a less restricted freedom. Another is the way they preach religion. In Christianity, they are much more open then in Judaism (from what I got from the reading).
The emphasis in church for Christianity is much more joyous and appraising. The preacher from James's church had been louder, more open, and was repetitive. However because of this, it was more spirited. I believe that is why Ruth changed to Christianity and had more faith, a big role in the two chapters.
I think in both families, religion plays a big role. First of all both families have clergymen so the families are pretty religious. Rachel hated how religious her family was and that’s part of the reason she left. She felt that being orthodox Jewish her family had too many rules and was not open enough. Rachel also felt that Judaism was being forced on her and she did not accept it. But then as a mother she forces Christianity on her children. For example if they do not memorize a portion of the bible they are beaten.
I think with out knowing Rachel is in some ways raising her kids the same way she was raised. Although in some ways she is much different when it comes to religion there are many similarities between Rachel’s childhood and her children’s childhood. I think this is forgivable because Rachel only knew how to be a parent from watching her mother and father. Even if she told herself she would never raise her kids like they did, she knew no other way to teach them.
I think the main difference between how the two religions are viewed is how Rachel feels about them. When she talks about Christianity she is very favorable saying “He taught me about a God who lifted me up and forgave me and made me new” and “I was reborn in Christ.” When she talks Judaism she is very unfavorable.
Overall I think Rachel believes that her kids are having a much better experience with religion because they are Christian. But the kids seem to be having almost the same experience with religion that Rachel had.
Religion is the theme in both chapters five and six, or "The Old Testament" and "The New Testament". In chapter five Ruth explains what it was like when she was a jew and her father's occupation as a traveling rabbi. She talks about how her religious life affected her everday life and how in the end she never really had an "everyday life". When Ruth was a jew she felt very restricted, but when she met Mr. McBride her life changed. Ruth says that she had very low self esteem as a child for many reasons, but one in particular was that she was mocked because she was a jew. When she and her family moved to Virginia, the community wasn't very welcoming. When Ruth met Mr. McBride, she was in a very unstable place. Mr. McBride showed her Christianity and she was saved. When Ruth converted to Christianity she seemed to become a much happier person. She was free to be herself. Those restrictions that she had as a Jew dissapeared. In both Ruth's old family and new family, religion is very important. It is arguably the most important aspect of her. In both families, religion is equally emphasised, but in Ruth's new family it is emphasised, but not enforced.
-Kai Marcel
In chapters 5 and 6 religion is a huge thing practiced by this family that is forced on the children and taught in the towns that they lived in. I think that these two family's are the same because they both practice religion.I think that these families are different because they practice two different religions that allow them to do different things and not do different things. These religions show how they guide and lead these families.
In chapter 5 Rachel talks about how her father being a preacher but also a rabbi made her have to move around a lot and it changed the way that people thought of her family. In the middle/end of chapter 5 it talks about how the synagogue got rid of her father because they didn't want him to build up that store on the black side of town. I think that Rachel's family's religion led them to be strong but the kids in the family didn't really believe in what they were being taught. This family thought of their religion largely and drilled it into their kids heads.
In James's family religion is also thought about largely too but this family thinks of being who they are as a privilege and the other as a must. This family takes their religion very seriously but at the same time information isn't drilled into their heads.
- Oni
Hi, its Stef.
In chapters 5 and 6, religion plays a very important role, and that is the role of love. Religion plays the role of love, because in both James's family and his mother's family, love is provided by religion. In James's mother's family, she has a father who only cares about money, and is constantly moving around just to get money. He opens a store, and forces everyone in the family to run the store whenever it is open. Her father is constantly teasing her mother for being disabled, and does not listen to anything she says. Because of religion, Every member of the family has love. In James's family, James and all of his twelve siblings have to share one mother, who is white while they are black. Both of his mother's husbands are dead. His mother lives in a black neighborhood, and acts as though she is black, but is white. Whenever the family goes to church, though, James's unhappy mother becomes happy, and is filled with love. In the two families this novel focuses on, religion is a very important part of their everyday lives, and their uses for it have similarities and differences. They are similar, because in both families, the children like the religion, but are not crazy about it, nor does it take up most of their lives. In both families, the mother is different in some way, and uses religion to keep them going through life, even though they both have a hard time while living. James likes his religion, just as his mother did when she was a child, but they do not let it take up their entire lives, or interfere with their lives. It is just something they follow. Both of their mothers are different from everyone else, James's mother being white in a black world, and her mother being disabled, and see their religion as their life, and what keeps them going. The way that the two families are different when it comes to religion is how the father intertwines with the religion. In James's family, the father showed his mother Christianity, and she thought that it saved her life. They started a church, and they both loved being Christians. In James's mothers family, the father uses religion for money. He is constantly moving around with his family, acting as a Rabbi in many different synagogues.
In both chapters, it explains the family's religion. FIrst for Rachel's family, they were very kosher and her father was a preacher.Her family moved so many times that she can't even remember all the places she has been.
The chapters tell you how much Rachel hated being Jewish. There were so many traditions to follow, too many. When she met James' father she felt reborn. "Your father had chnaged my life. He taught me about a God who lifted me up and forgave me and made me new." She stayed Chritian and her family was CHristian. She took this religion very seriously. James explained how he would be next to women crying and agreeing to that reverand. He saw his mather crying and he asked why. She said she was crying out of joy. It wasn't just her who was very serious about the religion, it was the whole family. They would go to Sunday school learning about the religion. James' older brother had once had to memorize part of the Bible in front of the whole church. He had completly forgotten and his mother gave him a beating.
Both religions were very serious to both familes, but it changed them to be a different person. Christianity changed Rachel being more open, where as a child she had low self eestem because of her father. Yes, both religions were taken seriously because both families believed in the religions very strongly.
Religion is important in both families because they depend on their religion for hope. Both families use religion for hope. Religion is the thing that keeps the family together. For the Jewish family when they move and move after their father is done with is contract they have a g=hard time and they are afraid of their father so they try to get their religion right. For the Christian family their religion is where they all can spend time with their parents. When they are not at church they do not really get along well.
Religion is a significant factor in “The Color of Water.” (Chapters 5-6) as it acts as both a consolation for Ruth but it also acts as an antagonist in her life. Though Ruth claims to have bettered her life through church it is the Spartan and unfeeling religious teachings she experienced during her childhood that turned her bitter. And though Ruth makes a great effort to conceal her past from her children, she is in fact constantly rereading the same scriptures that were forced upon her as a child. The contradictory manner in which she regards religion is a large factor in why her children feel so distant from their mother. Ruth does not explain to her children her seemingly enigmatic views regarding religion and why she eschews Orthodox Judaism but upholds its core principles. Because of this, her children feel constrained by the rules ( which are based on religious scripture) that are forced upon them. Though Ruth attempts to instill in her children faith and humility towards god, her children still do not have a definite view of what god is. Ruth herself felt constrained by religion during her own childhood. Therefore, religion takes on the role of being almost a tacit antagonist.
As a girl, Rachel was afraid of many things. For her, religion was not a way of connecting yourself to god, but having even more rules in a strict religious household. When she because a Christian, she broke away from rules other people were making for her, and made rules for herself. While she was young, religion was important, but forced upon you. As an adult, religion is still important, but she views it very differently. She now believes religion is a choice. If people do not respect you for your choice, then you should forget them. You should base your choice on what makes you happy.
James often sees his mother crying in church. Rachel tells him she cries because god makes her happy. Growing up without any say in anything made her realize how important it is to be religious and stay faithful, but to do it in a way that makes you happy.
For James, religion is frustrating. While being confused about race and skin color, he is confused about religion and god. He has so many people around him dealing with their confusion differently that he becomes confused himself. Religion is not that big a deal to him personally, but because it is to his mom, it becomes a big part of his life.
James sees that religion can save a person. God and Christianity saved his mother because god was a way of seeing that her life could be different. That though she was dead to her first family, she was the life of her second.
Religion plays an important part within the mothers family as well as when she was child. James’ mother might abandon Judaism but she carries the serious role in which religion plays within the family. The father to maintain power used religion when the mother was a child. The father would scare the kids threatening them with the wrath of god, which would harm them if they did not obey. The father would teach his children to remember the Old Testament. In the mother’s family when she is older however religion is used as a power structure as well and she finds it important for her kids to remember religion, she wants her kids to learn for their own benefit however. There is a difference however the power structure in which the mother creates is used to encourage the kids to get good grades and participate in church for themselves. While James’ Mother’s father used a power structure so as to convince the kids to do labor for his benefit, as well as giving him the power in which he sexually abuses the mother.
In the story religion is also used to conquer the dividing line of race in the mothers household. The mother using religion as a form of support, views us as all as god’s people rather then defining one by their ethnicity. The Mother’s father however uses religion to form a sense of superiority of others however. The spent his time in the store criticizing black for their race and well as their financial background
For both families religion was significant, but different. In chapter 5 when Rachel talks, she talks about how Judaism was forced upon her and how it made her feel limited and claustrophobic. Her dad was also a Rabbi and provided for the family so it made it seem as if Judaism was very important. When she had the opportunity to, she escaped her family and turned to Christianity. I think she wanted to get as far away from her parents as she could because of the way her dad and the way Judaism made her feel. He made Rachel feel insecure and lowered her self-esteem.
Rachel turned to Christianity and she became happy and spirited at church. Church also made her cry. James says that he felt they were tears of sadness but she claimed them to be tears of happiness. She took her religion very seriously and would punish the kids when they didn't. She would beat them if they forgot their stories from the bible. Rachel turned to Christianity as a way to get through and appreciate life and it took a while for the kids to appreciate it as much as she did.
In both families, religion plays an enormous role. In chapters 5 and 6 we learn of the importance of religion in both families. Both families enforce it on their children and make sure their whole family follows it. Religion is a huge deal on both families and it has a big impact on their lives.
For Rachel, religion is a cage. Judaism seems to be the reason she must move from place to place every year. The reason she is shunned and laughed at and made fun of in the South. It is the reason she must sit in the dark and do nothing every week. It has a very negative effect on her life. Her father abuses his religion. He uses it as a weapon and an excuse. In his twisted mind, he believes his religion grants him a right to use power. In his contempt and cruelty towards his wife, in his sexual abuse of Rachel and in his hatred he believes that his religion makes him a figure of respect and power. Mr. Shilsky is a source of great unhappiness for Rachel and the rest of the family. He uses religion to enforce and cultivate that unhappiness.
In James’ family, religion is a way of life, but it is not abused. In his descriptions of church, we see how spirited and free and even wild people could become. We see how his family embraces and loves God and how their mother draws courage from Christianity. Religion has a very positive impact on his life.
Religion has been very important to the family. It plays a rather significant part for all the turmoil going on around them, and also something that the family believes in and follows. But since James is now finding trouble within himself being different from his mom, yet he loves her so much, has a big question on who god really is.
In the mom's family, Judaism and all its traditions and customs were strongly enforced, and her father was a very bad rabbi and father. Judaism for the mom was also an invitation for trouble as she lives in a strict christian town which is not at all welcome to Jews, so she had been called names and mistreated. She was forced to switch to Christianity.
In James's family, religion was Christianity, and in the story played the role of being the model, or the leader for James's thoughts and actions. He believes that what god does is right, and was just about starting to realize that god is the "color of water". For the mom, Christianity has been a source of utmost enjoyment and spirit, and i think is because of all the troubles it had saved her from life.
It seems that religion plays a big role in everybody’s life. In Chapter five Rachel talks about her family who is poor and are orthodox Jews. In her family they take their religion very seriously. The rules are strict. When you are orthodox you have to celebrate Sabbath Friday through Saturday and children have to do things when they are told. Rachel’s father took their religion the most seriously. When Rachel was really young her father would molest her because she was a child and barley had any power to protect herself. Rachel became a Christian and married a black man who taught her about God and made her feel like a new person. In both of Rachel families she took whatever religion she followed seriously. She wanted her kids to believe what she believed in but that can’t all happen. But it seemed that at least the majority of her family followed in her footsteps. Each child viewed Christianity or God in there own way. They each follow the religion differently. In Rachel’s previous family followed Judaism in one specific direction.
In chapters 5 and 6 James' mother talks about her family life and about her parents, her father in particular. Her family was Jewish and she hated it. He didn't like all the strict rules traditions you had to follow and keep up with. To go along with that she hated her family. Her father abused her and was cruel to her mother and siblings. Judaism to her is unpleasant and brings bad memories. James' mother converted to Christianity after she met James' father. She said it saved her life and with out it she would be lost. Christianity brought back her self-esteem and her happiness. She felt freer and less restricted than she did when she was forced to comply with the rules Judaism. Judaism seemed to make her unhappy and ruin her life while Christianity saved her life and made her a happier person
Religion is a big factor of chapters five and six. In chapter five James interviews his mother, who tells him how her father was a rabbi, who traveled to many places, and one year got a deal at a synagogue in Suffolk, Virginia. When his contract was over, he bought a barn that he saw and was interested in, to run a store. Though he stopped working as a traveling Rabbi, he still did cultural jobs for money. For example he taught Hebrew to Jewish children in the town, and went to homes of Jewish families and performed the circumcising of their children.
Despite all of the differences that they have, the two families in the book, both used religion as law. In Ruth’s father’s home, the children are forced to recite parts of the Old Testament during sessions with him. In her own home money wasn’t anything if there was no religion, and everyone in the household must put god first.
Religion is used in different ways in both households mentioned in the book. If you are part of the Shilsky family, religion is enforced, and feared if not followed. If you are a part of the Jordan family, religion is very important, but does not have to be feared, sometimes even if not followed, though the children were usually scolded [if] they didn’t listen to god’s law, though they usually did.
In "The Color of Water," religion is a force which guides both families in their own directions. Regarding Rachel's family, it was done for money. Rachel's views on priests was skewed by her father's interpretation and his cold demeanor. This influenced her current view on priests, liking those who were old-fashioned and could bring the church alive without gimmicks. She liked priests who were genuine in their sermons, unlike her father.
Rachel and her mother are alike, the both persevered through their bad experiences by remaining traditional. Their children were taught with mostly the same values and the children quietly rebelled.
In the case of Ruth’s family, religion seems to be what they are. Their lives revolve around religion. Her father was a rabbi and made his living by contracts with synagogues in different towns. Ruth seems to enjoy some of the rituals such as Passover; however, she does not respect her father at all. He was an abuser and treated the whole family badly. At one point, she married a Black man and converted to Christianity; which are the most likely reasons that she was ‘exiled’ from her family. The way she described the religious experience of her family in chapter 5 does not seem to be religious at all. Religion, as it appears in chapter 5, is only the family business. By contrast, in chapter 6, Ruth’s family’s religious experience is described as a joyful one. Their participation in church activities; from masses on Sundays to special occasions and celebrations, seem to be important to the entire family. Ruth’s relation with churches and pastors is described as essential.
It is interesting that the chapters are titled The Old Testament and The New Testament, as if to put emphasis on Ruth’s conversion. The emphasis on the religious experience in the two chapters is more towards difference than similarity. She even says that the abuse by her father and her experience with her family left her with “low self-esteem” and that all that changed when she met her present husband, who was a preacher. The only similarity that I can find is that religion provides a sense of community in both cases. She mentioned living in Glens Falls and the community there. She also mentioned that while she was there her family seemed to come together well.
In these chapters, we learn about Orthodox Hews and Christians. Rachel had respect for her religion, but felt that being raised by her molesting father did not enhance anything. Rachel's father was a bad Rabbi, and the family had to relocate many times, possible diminishing the whole religious experience for Rachel. However, when Rachel was introduced to James' father, she found salvation in the father, the son, and the holy spirit. She felt a certain support system that she did not feel with her family's religion. To add to that, she felt that there is more freedom in being Christian.
Religion is a critical role in The Color Of Water. Religion is constantly discussed in the story. Though the two families have different religions, there are many similarities and differences throughout the role of religion. In chapter five, Ruth talks about a very difficult time in her childhood, and how religion was involved in her childhood. For Ruth, Religion has two roles for her, the role of her duty when she was a Jew. And the role of believing in someone and having someone to comfort in when she was a Christian. When Ruth is a Jew, her religion cages her, and her religion provides her no support or love. When Ruth converts to Christianity, Ruth has something to believe, she has something she can rely on for love and support.
In chapter six, James discusses his relationship with religion. James relationship is forced upon him. Though not as strictly as Ruth's religion is forced upon her. When James is younger, James is made to go to church every Sunday though he doesn't have the faith in his religion that his mother does. For James his Christian faith doesn't provide comfort to him, like it does for Ruth.
Religion has a very big role in both of the families. There are also many similarities dealing with religion between the two families. One example of a similarity is when James is talking about Ruth dragging the entire family along to church. This scene shows how Ruth is almost reflecting her childhood on her children's childhood.
Religion is fickle thing in Ruth's family and in Rachel's family.In Rachel's family, religion was ruined for her. For them, religion has been deformed an twisted by their father who is a rabbi. He used his rabbi given powers over them to control them. He made all the calls in the house, everything was called by him because not only was he the man of the house, but he was a rabbi.That meant he belled the plates, the food, he castrated the children, everything. He was in complete and utter power.Rachel was under the impression that it was Judaism that was not for her and that Judaism had too many rules and regulations, but it was her father not the religion. She could have been any religion as a kid and have hated it, because her father took complete and utter power over it. Her father might have been a preacher who was christian and forced his children to be christian. It could have been Christianity he twisted instead of Judaism. It was pure chance she was raised with Judaism and feel into the arms of Christianity.
In both families, religion plays a large role. Both families are pretty religious. However, in Rachel Shilsky’s family, religion seems to play a very, very, big role, in the way that it seems to almost be put in front of family and caring for each other. There is almost no love in her family anyways, her dad is sort of crazy, and even though she loves her mom, the family has basically fallen apart. In Ruth Mcbrides family, religion is also seen as something extremely important, however, Ruth cares for her children and loves them, and even thought the family isn’t as close as it could be, religion is not put at a higher ranking then family is. Rachel felt like she was unable to completely understand her religion, especially when her father was supposed to be a rabbi, a holy man, but he was frequently molesting her. Ruth, feels like she can easily understand Christianity and that the importance of it doesn’t get lost in its traditions, as does Rachel’s.
In Chapters 5, I feel like religion was like a disaster to Ruth’s family. It never quite went as planned, and always ended up falling apart sooner or later. For example, Ruth’s father was rabbi, and not a very good one at that! In this quote, Ruth talks about how her father’s job as a rabbi sent them packing, and forced them to go live somewhere else where they might not have wanted to.
“He wasn’t any different from the rest of those scoundrels on TV today except he preached in synagogues and he wasn’t so smooth talkin’. He was hard as a rock and it didn’t take long before the Jewish congregations figured him out and sent him on his way, so we traveled a lot when I was a young girl.” (page 37).
From this quote especially, you can really tell that from her father’s failures at his job, the arguing amongst her parents, and the sexual harassment she was receiving from her father, that Ruth probably wasn’t having a lot of fun as a child! It seemed like she wanted religion to be important in her family and she wanted to understand it and she wanted it to be perfect, and it just wasn’t. I also think that, while she was a Jew, she was going through a very hard time in her life, with things not working out perfectly and all……that’s why I think that when she grew up and became a Christian, she started to notice that things were starting to go better for her, and her life was taking a turn for the better. That’s why I think that when Ruth had a family of her own, it was the perfect opportunity for her to make going to church, understanding the religion of their practice and making everything about it perfect, a daily commitment.
Chapter 6, I feel was a lot different from what was happening in chapter 5, where nothing was going as planned and practicing her religion was more like a job and not a pleasure. I think chapter 6 was all about making things right, and finally having things the way Ruth wanted them to be.
In chapters five and six, religion plays the role of tradition. Traditions can be something that feels familiar and special. However, it can also be a burden that sits heavily upon a person's shoulders. At one point in Rachel's life her Judism was a burden to her because it made her feel trapped by all the don'ts and musn'ts. When she embraced a religion she prefered it made her feel a special connection with god.
In both families religion is essential to being a human being. In spite of how Rachel/Ruth strives to be different from her parents, she still insists upon making sure god plays a major role in her children's life. Such as when Billy fails to remember his bible verse on easter and she beats him for forgetting.
In Rachel's family religion is used to the teach kids how to behave. To the kids it's as if god will do something terrible to them if they put one toe out of line. I think that's the reason the chapter about the Shilsky's was called the "old testament" as in that version god is made to seem very strict.
In Ruth's family religion is percieved in the form of hope. James and his seven siblings learn that god is always there to guide them in the path of life. God loves every person on earth unconditionally no matter what choices they make. To the McBride family religion will set you free. This is shown when Ruth is singing in church. Her sound is bad but she is so happy about what she's singing about that the giggles of her children don't phase her.
Religion is a very important role in chapters 5 and 6. Both families use religion as a sense of hope. They gain knowledge and mind-power through religion. Religion is similar in both families because they enforce it into their children's daily lives. Without religion, there wouldn't be some sort of "family time."
For Rachel Shilsky's family, their religion was Judaism. Her father was all about being Jewish and wanted the family to do all things Jewish. It was very strict, unlike James' family's religion. Rachel felt like she was trapped in a cage, like what Kai Williams said. Since Rachel was claustophobic and didn't like anything where you feel caged in, she didn't like Judaism either. She didn't have freedom. It was negative towards her life; which is why she has low self-esteem issues when she was a child and an adult.
Ruth McBride/Jordan's family was different. One reason is because it was a different religion, it was Christianity. This religion was a lot more open and free to the children. When Rachel changed her name and her religion, she liked it a lot better than before. She loved God. When she went to church with her children, she would get all emotional and James would ask why she cries. Her response is that those are tears of joy, happniess and love, not sadness.
Christianity had a nicer impact on her life than Judaism did. Both religions had celebrations that were a tradition to do, for example, Passover and Easter at the New Brown church. During Passover, Rachel's father would ask why you are celebrating Passover and if you didn't answer it, you would get smacked in the face. For Easter at the church, it was different. The children would recite a verse in the Bible and have it memorized. But for Billy, one of James' brothers, he messed up and got a beating from the mother because she takes her religion, God, and church seriously.
In chapter five, the role of religion is one that more decides who is the head of the family, than what you believe in. Chapter five focuses on Rachel Shilsky's (now Ruth) past life as a Jewish child living in the South. Her dad was a rabbi, but took advantage of him being a rabbi and using it against his family. In many parts of chapter five, its is talked about how Rachel's father takes charge of the family and treats himself as the king, and the rest of the family as his servants. I think that the father takes religion as a joke, and plays around with it. To the father, religion has no meaning besides him taking charge and telling his family what to do. In chapter five, the role of the religion is not used as what you believe in, but as to decide ones power in the family.
In chapter six, unlike chapter five, religion is more of something that is appreciated and is taken seriously. Because of Rachel's past life as a Jew, and what her religion was like, she wanted her kids to get a sense of freedom with their religion, unlike what she had gotten. Rachel didn't have religion to help her throughout her past because her father was the only person she was able to go to with questions about her religion, but since her father had molested her and took him being a rabbi as a joke, she felt no safety around him. Ruth wanted her children to feel a safety and closure with their lives, and for her to make sure of that, she forced religion upon them, whether they had wanted it or not. Throughout the whole book, I think that Ruth really focuses on her children's safety and giving them the safety that she had not gotten as a child. I feel that she hides them under her wing from the outside world to enable their safety.
I think that the similarities between both families is that they both push religion into their family. In Rachel's family, religion was pushed upon their family in a negative way. Meaning that instead of being like Ruth and forcing religion onto her children as a closure around them and for their safety, it was being forced upon Rachel as a way to define who was in charge. Although the way religion was being forced upon each family was different, it still was the same because neither of the family was able to choose their religion, only the "head" of the family had chosen for them. The difference is what I had already stated. Rachel's religion was being forced upon her by the father only being something to decide the powerful person of the family. Whereas in Ruth's, religion was still being forced ,but in a way that would put her children in safety. She wanted to cleanse the soul's of her children, unlike what her dad had done for her.
Religion plays a constant role in chapters 5 and 6. Throughout “The Color of Water,” both the White mother and the Black son’s lives are constantly changing. In the mother’s case, the family is always moving back and forth to different places and in the son’s case, life is always changing because he and his siblings endure many changes like the death of their father and stepfather. In both the mother’s and the son’s case, the changes force them to mature quickly. Religion is the only thing that stays the same. While the son and his sibling continue to change their opinions about religion, it is always there. For example, Richie does not stop believing in God, but he feels that Jesus should be grey. He does not like the fact that Jesus is considered white. The same question is raised about God, but their mother’s insistence that god is a “spirit” averts this question. God, she says, is the color of water.
In both families, religion is absolute and cannot be contradicted. For both, religion symbolizes how strict their families are. Just like you cannot argue with your parent you cannot argue with the word of God. In both families, religion is very important—whether religion is your only means to a job or whether it is what keeps you going.
The main difference between the Jewish and the Christian family is that in the Jewish family religion is associated with work and a patriarchal figure. In the Jewish family, their fear of their father is associated with their religion. Not only does he actually molest his children, but also symbolizes a lack of love. He only married his wife because it is advantageous to him. Also, for the Jewish family, religion symbolized leaving behind that which they love. Because of their father’s job (as a Rabbi), they are constantly forced to move and can never be truly happy.
In the Christian family, it is the opposite. Religion is associated with hope as well as with their diseased father. Their father is dead, but his memory lives on through religion. He was a preacher and they feel that they can remember him through religion. Also religion is not work. Religion is helpful, not painful. It helps them accept hard lives and helps them to make something out of themselves.
In the end, part of what makes the “Christian” family’s religious beliefs so successful is that it is a combination of both religions. It combines the total discipline of the Jewish faith with the joy that Christianity symbolizes. Since they are not forced to be too religious, Christianity is an escape that Judaism never could be. Being forced to be religious because of a job is very different from choosing to be. Finally their religion is the one thing about them that is normal. Since the mom is a White mom in a Black world and since she used to be a Jewish women in a Christian world, acceptance is not something that comes easily and this is the one thing about her family that seems normal.
In chapters 5 and 6, religion plays a big role. Religion is a main theme in both chapters and is what many of the memories are about. Both chapters have a strictness when it comes to religion. For example, in chapter 5, Mameh is perceived as the obedient jewish housewife and is a very traditional one too. There is a strictness to all of it and how Tateh is always the domineering one. Similarly in chapter 6, there is a strictness when it comes to religion as well. Church is an important thing to the mom and when Billy forgets his lines, he gets a harsh punishment.
There are many ways the emphasis on religion is different. In general, the author has a completely different aspect of both in the first place. Chapter 5 is called 'The old testament' while chapter 6 is called "The new testament'. Chapter 5 also has a gloomy view on the religion. It is the secret past that mom doesn't want to remember. Religion then, is viewed as an obligation. She had to be Jewish. Chapter 6 on the other hand is more present and is in the boys perspective. James McBride is more open to his past than the mother and immediately sets a happier mood. The emphasis on religion is happy, although maybe still strict, the mom wanted to be Christian. It wasn't an obligation but a choice. As McBride said, "Mommy loved God. She went to church each and every Sunday,"
Religion is very significant in chapters 5 and 6, but both families' method of religion is entirely different. In chapter 5, Ruth’s family, it is almost as if she is shackled, since her father obeys all rules of Judaism. The family constantly moves around the east coast, searching for synagogues where Tateh can preach in. By taking religion so literally, Ruth and her family are forced to read the Torah before bed, and must not make any mistakes without knowing that there will be consequences. Religion brings a sense of power to Tateh, feeling that he is superior to all of the members in his family because he is a preacher.
In chapter 6, focused on James McBride, Judaism is practiced informally. Although they are a very religious family, they aren’t constantly connecting methods of life to God. Instead of going to synagogue for religious purposes, they go for spiritual purposes.
Religion plays a big role especially for the mom. She is very religious mostly because she feels that she didn't really belong to her family who was jewish because her father sexually abused her and she thought the rules of being Jewish were too stressful and was too much to follow. Being jewish for her, in a way reminds her of her painful childhood. Her ex-husband, James' dad had her convert to catholicism and it effects the way she thinks and her beliefs. She tells her children to believe in god and love him. She got upset when James' brother forgot the words to a bible reading and was punished and disciplined when he got home.
In chapter five, it is showed that religion was really just an excuse. Ruth's dad would take her and the rest of her family around the country, looking for jobs as a rabbi just to get some money or food or clothes. It seemed that Ruth's dad never took religion seriously unless he was either able to gain something out of it or he was able to force his children in to doing something for him. For example, whenever he would find a job as a rabbi, he wouldn't act as if he was just happy to be teaching his religion, he would make sure that he gets payed for it. In the book it is said that he was a lousy rabbi, and that alone highlights that he barely cared about the actual religion.
In chapter six, religion turned into something else. Religion became more of a shelter or a safe haven for Ruth and her children. Church was a community that everyone belonged to and everyone was to be respected. Ruth felt a strong connection to this community, so she unintentionally became very church oriented. She holds the highest respect for the congregation, but also seems to not really fit in with everyone else who goes to church. She forces her children to participate in church weather or not they like it. In a way, religion plays a very similar role in both the chapters, but in chapter 6, with religion comes a little more freedom then when ruth was growing up.
Religion is very different but similar in these two chapters. Religion is a strict practice that seems to be pushed on the children in both chapters. The children seem to have no freedom when it comes to religion. As many of my peers said, Religion is used as a form of togetherness. It keeps the family close. I think both families have very hectic and crazy lives and their views are different and they don't agree on many things; Although, I think religion is the one thing they can agree on, its the one thing that keeps the family in one piece.
One difference between the families is obviously one family practices judaism and one christianity. I think the way they practice them and how they are taught to practice them separates one from another.
Ex. In Judaism it seems more strict and straight forward while in Christianity, it seems more carefree.
Referring to a later quote religion is like the “power of the moon” in Rachel’s house. She has to do everything following the strict guidelines of Judaism. Things like eating kosher, leaving a seat out for the savior, and having special ceremonies for slaughtering the animals. It was non negotiable whether or not you were Jewish. You can see in later chapters as it becomes more evident when she leaves the religion and the family claims her to be dead.
In James house religion is more like a gentle although it does affect part of what you do it is not a determining factor. You can choose to be apart of the breeze or deny it but at some point all must be moved or touched by it. Like when Ruth makes all of her children participate in the Christmas Pageant.
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