The Color of Water

Questions for Essay and Discussion

1. Trace the element of pride in the lives of Ruth and James, showing how it is an obstacle at

times and a key to their success at other times.

2. The title of this book, The Color of Water, refers to the answer Ruth gives when James asks

if God is white or black. Discuss why God’s race was so intriguing to James and why this

answer was so important to Ruth.

3. Write a character sketch of Dennis McBride and discuss his importance in the life of his

son James, despite the fact that James never met him.

4. The theme of discrimination is important in The Color of Water. Examine and discuss

discrimination against immigrants, Jews, and blacks as shown in this book.

5. Several women are important in the development of both Ruth’s character and James’

character. Discuss how women helped Ruth and James, including Mameh, Aunt Mary, and

Aunt Candis in your consideration.

6. Write a character sketch of Mameh, evaluating her effect as a Jewish wife, an advocate for

her children, and a figure in the community.

7. For many immigrants, hard work is seen as the path to success and attainment of the

American way of life. Compare and contrast Rabbi Shilsky and Aunt Mary in this

framework.

8. This book includes several religious men as characters. Evaluate the following men as

representatives of God and community leaders: Rabbi Shilsky, Rev. Owens, Rev. Brown,

and Rev. McBride.

9. In some respects, Mommy led a very integrated life, but in others, she seems to have

pushed her children into a white world. Discuss Mommy’s varied experiences of race, and

evaluate what she admired and deplored about different racial and ethnic groups,

specifically Jews, blacks, and whites.

10. Discuss the theme of “the outsider” as it is manifested in this book.

11. A soliloquy is a speech given by a single character. Discuss the soliloquy given by Chicken

Man, and discuss its importance to James.

12. Comment on the role of traditional social institutions (such as school, church, and family)

in a young black man’s quest for identity, considering how these institutions fostered or

blocked James in his search for individuality, self-confidence, and responsibility.