The reality of this particular situation is that Ada is not a woman in control. She is, in fact a woman of desperation and need as outlined clearly by Frazier, ‘cookery had become a pressing issue for Ada… she was perpetually hungry’. This is the first instance where the idea of ‘appropriate education’ is introduced to the novel. The idea that although a person may be educated by means of literature, art and music, they can still be completely ignorant in other aspects of life such as cooking and cleaning and surviving with limited finances. This theme is continuous throughout the novel and is one of the main contrasting factors between Ruby and Ada.
Frazier’s description of Ada’s appearance is another very telling technique which allows the reader to draw conclusions about her as a character. The fact that she has pale skin and ‘finely plaited hair’ gives the impression that she is a woman of fine things, not of hard work and labour which is the case when we meet her early on in the novel. Her rebellious dress, for example long ivory coloured dresses outlines to full affect her distinction from the society around her and her confidence in being different and being true to herself.
Frazier creates an interesting balance within Ada of a strong determined woman and also a distressed woman in need of help. He uses flashbacks to great effect, allowing the reader a peak view at what Ada has been like in the past, for example her witty, intriguing chats with Inman where she had displayed her control of the situation for example telling him that ‘he has served a purpose’ before walking away and not looking back. These valuable snippets of knowledge build up in the reader’s mind and create a rounded, rich view of the character.
One major similarity between the characters of Ruby and Ada is Frazier’s choice to craft them as strong, interesting and unconventional women. This is a theme continued throughout the book and makes for very interesting readership. When Frazier describes the women, he does not speak typically of golden blonde tresses tumbling about their bosoms, but instead, as in Ruby’s case, practically, ‘a dark thing… frail-chested… hair was black and course as a horse’s tail.’ This description provides an immediate contrast to that of Ada’s in the obvious sense that Ruby is a labourer and physically a hard worker hence her permanent sun tan and matted hair. But this description also provides links to tie the two characters together for the eternity of the novel. This idea is conveyed in the precise way in which Frazier describes the women, focusing on their bodily form for example, ‘corded through the neck and arms’ and ‘cords of muscle ran up under the skin’. I think this is a subliminal description technique to indicate the hard physical work that is to come from Ruby and Ada working as a team in the future of the novel.
Frazier’s continual references to nature are also used as symbols in sections of the book to infer the nature of the characters. For example when Ruby is introduced at the end of chapter two, the first thing she does it slaughter the rooster that had earlier attacked Ada and cook it to make Ada’s first decent meal in weeks. This is an example of Frazier’s less complicated symbolism and tells the reader in plain terms that Ruby has come to Ada’s rescue and positive changes are about to occur.
Chapter four, ‘Verbs, all of them tiring’ sees the relationship between Ada and Ruby blossom and develop and become more defined as they fit into their roles in this new way of surviving. They immediately realise that they have qualities they can share to enrich each others lives although most people would agree that Ruby’s skills, techniques, expertise and knowledge far outweigh Ada’s in terms of crucial importance to their survival.
Ruby’s strength and spirit becomes apparent in this chapter as Frazier unveils the real ray of hope she is, for example when Ada puts her full trust into her new companion and discusses her crushing financial situation and Ruby simply replies with, ‘I’ve never held a money piece bigger than a dollar in my hand’ the reader feels the sense of bewilderment and relief that Ada must feel at the revelation that money is not the centre of life anymore.
Amongst all of this positivity Frazier is quick to re-introduce the sinister idea that all can be changed with a click of fingers. ‘If Ada slipped and gave her an order as if to a servant, Ruby gave her the look that said she could be gone at a moment’s notice’. This I feel is an important element in the story as it mirrors the war situation that Inman has been in where your life can be taken from you at any moment and you have to be confident and believe in your own power to the full extent in order to survive. This is also aiding the reader to build more of an impression of this new female character and to recognise the similarities between her and Ada’s stubbornness and determination. There are many other sentences and image generating phrases which portray Ruby and Ada as individuals and also their relationship together. ‘Ruby would not let her fail’ is a quotation from chapter four which sums up the basis of their relationship and the fortitude of Ruby and belief in Ada which inspires her to take on this massive learning curve and gain the appropriate knowledge, using Ruby as ‘her principle text’.
Frazier portrays both Ada and Ruby as unconventional women brought up in worlds so separate they could be different planets. However he unites them in the novel and nurtures a relationship which is incredibly valuable to the story and genuinely interesting. He stays true to his theme of strong women and creates the character of Ruby to be Ada’s heroine as opposed to a dashing hunk on a snow white stallion as it could have been! The differences between the two woman means that under normal circumstances they never would have met but under the special conditions of the novel, anything is possible and this is demonstrated perfectly in the creation of the two characters of Ada and Ruby and their compelling friendship.
