what figural and literal explanations would you say the changes of names from Ruchel Dwajra Zylska to Rachel Deborah Shilsky to Ruth McBride Jordan represent for the author's mom? how would you say her identity changes with each name?For those of you that have read the color of water...?
I think that the first change is to make her more American, and more like her peers. I think that the second change was made to get away from her Jewish family because she had a terrible relationship with her father. While they did ostracize her for her choices, it gave her the freedom to be who she really wanted to be, rather than be forced into their figurative family box.
With these name changes, she is allowed to be her own person. She is allowed to marry a black man and have mixed children and, while it was tough for her and them, she made it, and her children all greatly respected her for it.
