The Color of Water

Study Guide Chapters 13-18

Vocabulary
Define each word and use it in an original sentence
1.absolved_______________________________________________________________
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2.clairvoyant
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3.ethics_________________________________________________________________
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4.philosophy_____________________________________________________________
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5.insular_________________________________________________________________
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6.burly__________________________________________________________________
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7.lithe__________________________________________________________________
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8.dissipation_____________________________________________________________
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8. inquisitive
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9. callous
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10. trysts
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11. droves
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12.
arrogant_________________________________________________________________
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13. insight
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14. contingency
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15.
brooding________________________________________________________________
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16. ambition
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Chapter Questions
Chapter 13 New York
1. What does Ruth say she loves about NY?

2. How does Aunt Mary treat her?

3. What was most important to Mamehs sisters?

4. How does Ruths family deal with their feelings?

Chapter 14 Chicken Man

1. Why does James want to get away from his mom?

2. How is James like his Jewish aunts? (in the way he deals with his pain)

3. Why does James like the corner?

4. Why does Jack send James to the corner?

5. Ultimately, what valuable lesson does James learn from the Chicken Man?

Chapter 15 Graduation
1. Why did Ruth go back to Suffolk?

2. How does she react to the news about Peter?

3. Why does Ruth go to her graduation?

4. Why doesnt Ruth enter the church?

Chapter 16 Driving
1. Why does James continue to smoke pot?

2. Why is Ruth always on the go?

3. What does the driving incident tell us about Ruth?

Chapter 17 Lost in Harlem

1. What was Aunt Mary up to?

2. Why cant Ruth get a job in Harlem?

3. What are Rockys plans for Ruth?

Chapter 18 Lost in Delaware

1. Why does James think its best he move?

2. Why dont his younger siblings want to move?

3. Why are they lost in Delaware?

4. Why does mom hate Delaware?

5. Why has James become a butler?

6. How does he feel about this?

7.

Why do you think mom hides her emotions from her kids?

Deep Thinking
1. Ruth McBrides refusal to reveal her past influenced her childrens sense of
themselves and their place in the world. How has your knowledge- or lack
thereof- about your family background shaped your own self image?

2. Several of the McBrides children became involved in the civil rights movement.
Do you think that this was a result of the times in which they lived, their need to
belong to a group that lent them a solid identity, OR a combination of these
factors? Explain and support your view with examples from the text.

3. While reading the descriptions of the childrens hunger, did you ever wonder why
Ruth did not seek out some kind of assistance? Why do you think she avoided this
assistance? Support your answer by referencing specific things you have learned
about Ruth.