Cold mountain – Ruby’s past Essay Example

chapter "verbs, all of them tiring" delves into Ruby's childhood, as she and Ada exchange stories about their past.

While searching for food one afternoon, Ruby's dress snagged on a briar and she was stranded alone in the woods overnight. Despite her isolation, she felt as though someone was watching over her and heard a voice emanating from the nearby river. This voice didn't belong to any cannibalistic demons but rather seemed like a gentle force from the landscape or sky- an animal sprite dedicated to protecting Ruby's well-being. This experience provided Ruby with a newfound sense of security and taught her that nature is not something to fear but can serve as both guide and ally. The voice remained concerned with Ruby's safety "from that moment on."

Ruby gains valuable knowledge on the farm by cultivating crops and vegetables with the assistance of nature. She has enhanced her ability to comprehend and utilize nature to her advantage, enabling her to consume the food she cultivates and anticipate weather patterns by observing the sky and identifying the current growing season through crop development. As a result, she has acquired a wealth of knowledge about the natural world.

Both Ruby and Ada were motherless from birth. Ada was raised by her father, Monroe, who provided her with a great education but didn't teach her domestic skills. Ruby comes to help Ada, teaching her things like how to grow plants while Ada teaches Ruby to become more feminine by reading to her. They are constantly teaching each other and learning from each other, mothering each other and appreciating the many things they both bring to the table.