Crazy Ruth

"In those first months at the Cottages, our friendship had stayed intact because, on my side at least, I'd had this notion there were two quite separate Ruths." pg 129

So, chapter eleven was interesting. I'm finding it a bit difficult to find something to blog about, because a large portion of the chapter was centered around porn--and I cannot exactly decide why it was significant, so I will talk about Ruth's character.

I would have to agree with Kathy, that there were 'two quite separate Ruths.' Ruth can be very two-faced and I've seen this all throughout the novel so far. I think Ruth does have this notion that she's better than everyone else. She's the one with the relationship with Tommy, the approval of the veterans, the one everyone seems to turn to for advice, even Kathy herself. Part of me thinks that Ruth is only dating Tommy, to just be dating someone. It's like a status symbol--if you're dating someone, people sometimes look up to you differently. And this makes me frustrated. Ruth cares too much about what other people think. Why does she so desperately crave the veterans approval? I don't understand it. Also, I'd rather have Kathy and Tommy together because they actually understand each other, and they're always talking and collaborating about ideas and Hailsham things. Though Ruth is Kathy's 'best friend,' sometimes I wish she would just go away, and let Kathy and Tommy finally be together.