In the popular children’s television show Phineas and Ferb, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the primary antagonist declares that he is “ruthless. [He] has no ruths” (19:40). His declaration articulates an interesting linguistic idiosyncrasy; ruthless currently only operate in various forms of itself (i.e. “ruthlessness,” “ruthlessly). As many words do, this facet of the word ruthless illuminates various types of change in the English language over time. To be completely understood, the word “ruthless” must be looked at, and then it must be examined in its constituent parts—“ruth-“ and “-less.” I will also look at the name Ruth as a variant on the root word “ruth.” This word demonstrates various aspects of compounding and the movement of Christianity through English culture. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “ruthless” means “devoid of pity or compassion; pitiless, unsparing, merciless.” However, to understand the history of the word, one can divide it into its constituent parts. “Ruthless” is comprised of two morphemes ([ruth-] + [-less]), which together mean “without ruth.” The suffix “less” is common in many words and serves to negate various adjectives. The word “ruth” has become archaic/obsolete in the English language. Most words associated with the root word have become archaic or obsolete (i.e. ruthful). The first recorded account of the word “ruthless” appears at 1327 in Pol. Songs of England, and since the word’s appearance, it has undergone minimal phonological changes. Most of the substantial transformations to the word “ruthless” appear in its morphemes. The first morpheme, “Ruth,” means “1. The quality of being compassionate; pitifulness; the feeling of sorrow for another; compassion, pity… 2. Contrition, r... ... middle of paper ... ...'.. I said I was similarly card-caseless.” Increasingly, the suffix “-less” is attached to nearly any word as a means of stating “without.” Thus, a modern speaker may explain ruthless as one “without ruths.” Today, “ruth” may be nothing more than a name to most English speakers, and many may use the word “ruthless” without understanding the root word “ruth” to be a word. Because the root word has become obsolete, we may often have a meaning in our minds, but not completely understand that meaning. Readers may also assume that “less” and “-less” come from the same origins, and today they have paralleled meanings. The history of the word ruthless allows it to become a catalyst for word play such as the wordplay seen in the show Phineas and Ferb. Given the negative connotation of the word “ruth” is the only surviving form, in time ruthless may become obsolete as well.
In conclusion, the fact that Ruth lived through so much trauma from her father most likely brought out the strength in her heart, and caused her to realize that she wants a good life for her children instead of the trauamtic life that she lived through in her own childhood. Ruth’s overall identity could be explicity explained as a mother who is strong, has a lot of faith in God, and a woman with a lot of value and love for all of her twelve children. Ruth Mcbride’s strength and confidence helps herself through the hardships of her childhood, her relationships with Dennis and Hunter, as well as James Mcbride and the rest of her children. She developed the identity of a strong-willed mother, lover, and a woman of God.
Growing up, Ruth had a rough childhood growing up in a very strict jewish household. Her family was poor, her mother was physically handicapped, her father was verbally and physically abusive, and she faced prejudice and discrimination from her neighbors and classmates because she
Before the murder, Ruth had concerns about her son Frank’s relationship with the killer’s estranged wife and fears the worst for her ...
Ruth led a life broken in two. Her later life consists of the large family she creates with the two men she marries, and her awkwardness of living between two racial cultures. She kept her earlier life a secret from her children, for she did not wish to revisit her past by explaining her precedent years. Once he uncovered Ruth's earlier life, James could define his identity by the truth of Ruth's pain, through the relations she left behind and then by the experiences James endured within the family she created. As her son, James could not truly understand himself until he uncovered the truth within the halves of his mother's life, thus completing the mold of his own identity.
This quote that was said by Ruth had a significant meaning and also a purpose for it being put in the book.
As her "daddy's daughter", there is little doubt that a form of love exists between Ruth Dead and Dr. Foster; however, such love is not truly love because as evidenced by Ruth's subsequent life, the filial relationship better resembles an emotional dependence that Ruth took for granted (67). The great emotional schism within her that is the result of her father's death leaves Ruth dysfunctional: she is unable to emote towards other, especially her family. Instead, ...
Cecilia was diagnosed with cancer while Ruth was in high school and the day before her daughter’s graduation, she passed away (Salokar & Volcansek, 1996). One of the greatest influences on Ruth’s life was her mother and the values she instilled in her from a young age. Two of the greatest lessons that Ruth learned from her mother was to be independent and to be a lady, and by that she meant not to respond in anger but to remain calm in situations (Reynolds, 2009).... ... middle of paper ... ...
Ruth has an intriguing personality. She is very loving towards her family. She will do all in her power to improve the lifestyle of her family. When it appears that the deal for the house in Clybourne Park will fall through, she promises to dedicate all of her time to make the investment work. “Lena-I’ll work… I’ll work 20 hours a day in all the kitchens in Chicago…I’ll strap my baby on my back if I have to and scrub all the floors and wash all the sheets in America if I have to-but we have to MOVE!” she pleads to her mother-in-law (Hansberry140). Her plan is unrealistic and idealistic, but the well being of her family is more important to her than anything. Ruth is also witty and sarcastic at times. She cracks jokes to lighten the mood of her family when they’re worried. “Well that’s the way the cracker crumbles. Joke. (121)” When Beneatha and Mama are stressing over the neighborhood they are moving into, Ruth makes a witty joke to improve the mood. Ruth supervises the daily routine and well being of her family. She makes sure that everyone does what they are supposed to and stays on track. ...
We see the introduction of Ruth in the scripture in the book of the bible that bears her name. Ruth is living in the land of Moab. She meets a new family that has come to Moab, to survive during the famine in Judah. She falls in love and marries one of their sons, becoming a family member to his people. Not only did she have a marital covenant with this son, she viewed it to pertain to the entire family. When her father in law passed away, leaving Naomi widowed, Ruth knew she had to step up and help Naomi. Shortly after that Naomi’s two sons died. Leaving the three widows to care for each other. Ruth understood through her faith of God what her role was to be toward her mother-in-law. Naomi wanted to return to her
The novel, presented as a series of disjointed, possibly problematic, narrative frames, attempts to draw attention to this fact. "...no word exists alone, and the reason for choosing each word had to be explained with a stor...
Ruth is Walter's wife. Her dream is to have a happy family but she also wants to be wealthy.
Ostriker A. (2002). The book of ruth and the love of the land. Biblical Interpretation, 10 (4),
Lucille likes to think that the mother was very clean and organized, very much a housekeeper, but Ruth is able to see that that wasn 't necessarily the case. She faces the reality of the situation head on, referring to her mother as the abandoner. With Sylvia, Ruth feels at home. She establishes the true meaning of housekeeping.
"...[Ruth's] passions were narrow but deep. Long deprived of sex, long dependent on self-manipulation, she saw her son’s imminent death as the annihilation of the last occasion she had been made love to" (134).
...s, 1882-1942. v.: ill.; 28 cm. Semiannual. Issue no. 33, 32, 1989. Vol. 1, no. 1, 1973; no.2, 1974. California State College, Sonoma, Dept. of English.