![]() ![]() Want proof? Check out Madam Lockton's reaction the first time she sees Ruth have a seizure-she calls Ruth "the devil" (15.1). So what's the problem? Mental and physical handicaps didn't go over too well in the world of slavery. She's often given to seizures as a result of heightened emotion, stress, or loud noises, and becomes emotionally upset very easily. In Isabel's words, Ruth is "simple-minded and prone to fits" (3.9), which is an 18th-century way of saying that she's developmentally delayed and epileptic. ![]() Ruth's sensitivity is one of the most striking aspects of her character. Having lost both of their parents, Ruth is all Isabel has left, and she feels a responsibility to Momma to care for her at all costs. ![]() Isabel's little sister doesn't say much, but Ruth's vulnerability and innocence are the driving force behind Isabel's desire to seek freedom. ![]()
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