The Color of Water (Pgs. 1-58)

Summary:


In the exposition of The Color of Water, the main character, James, and the conflict of him not knowing much about his mother are introduced. James has experienced both his biological and stepfather's deaths, and now is part of a mix-raced Jewish and African American family. This Jewish White widow mother of 12 has tried to impress the importance of education, religion, and privacy upon her kids. She moved around frequently, including to places such as Springfield, Massachusetts, New York, and then back south to Suffolk, Virginia again. Mrs. McBride loved God and she would go to church each and every Sunday. At one point James asked what color God's spirit was and his mother replied by saying that God does not have a color; "God is the color of water" (McBride 51). Evidently, the theme predominantly carried out effectively throughout the text is religion. McBride wondered, "… Why God would climb into these people with such fervor [passionate enthusiasm]..." (McBride 50)

Quote:


    "My parents were nonmaterialistic. They believed that money without knowledge was worthless, that education tempered with religion was the way to climb out of poverty in America, and over the years they were proven right" (McBride 29).


Reaction:


I believe that this quote uses a very affirmative tone. I mostly agree with both of McBride's ideas about money being worthless without knowledge and that education was 'the' way out of poverty in America. At this point, it has become an American Dream endeavor to make money by means of an education, at least indirectly, and religion. I can't vouch for religion supplementing education when it comes to getting out of poverty, for I'm not a very religiously involved person. However, keeping in mind that McBride grew up among his Orthodox Jewish mother, religion is relatively significant for him. The word "climb" in the second sentence has a strong connotation of how big a struggle he and his family are facing in the memoir. That word gives the impression that the main characters are really struggling, such that they see themselves in a situation deep/low enough where they would actually need to 'climb'. I viewed this as an implication of their desires being too far from their reach; this desire being to satisfy his mother's inner peace.