Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

Introduction

The most conspicuous assessments between the Book of Ruth in the Bible and Jane Hamilton's publication of Ruth are in the characters. In the bible Ruth states "I want to proceed wherever you go and to live while you live." (Ruth 1:16) This sentiment of Ruth in the direction of Naomi is the identical sentiment that is held by the fictional Ruth in the direction of Auntie Sid. In the identical way that Ruth attaches herself to Naomi, the fictional Ruth seems to desire to be Auntie Sid's daughter, rather than May's. Avery literal attachment between Boaz and Ruby can be made. "Boaz married Ruth, and when he slept with her, the lord gave her a son" (Ruth 4:13), the same happened with Ruby and Ruth. This has no real deep significance; it is simply a way to maintain the plot advancement, especially when tied in with May. May be able to be compared to Naomi towards the end of each of the stories. May experience the same joy as Naomi when "at last Naomi has a son again." (Ruth 4:17) One can see this connection as a way for Hamilton to add some light on the dark character May, whose name very well may be connected to Naomi's other name of Mara, for May is bitter throughout the entire book. Character development a connecting seems to be the strongest point of Hamilton's writing; she displays it famously in her comparisons of fictional characters to the historical characters described in the Book of Ruth.

Housekeeping, Robinson's award-winning debut innovative, acquired both critical and popular acclaim for its going portrayal of two sisters whose efforts to contend with loss, abandonment, and insecurity shows fragility of human relationships and transitory nature of physical world. Set in the isolated Idaho community, innovative ...