Ralph Thibodeaus Character Analysis in Orphan Train

Ralph is Molly’s current foster father. He works as a plumber in Spruce Harbor. Inspired by his own experience as a troubled teen, he convinced his wife, Dina, to become foster parents. Ralph is even-tempered and often tries to play the role of mediator during Molly and Dina’s frequent fights. Though he is generally kind to Molly, he fails to protect her from Dina’s fits of anger.

Ralph Thibodeaus Quotes in Orphan Train

The Orphan Train quotes below are all either spoken by Ralph Thibodeaus or refer to Ralph Thibodeaus. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the William Morrow edition of Orphan Train published in 2013.

He’s always making excuses – “She didn’t mean nothing by it,” “She’s yanking your chain” – when Dina does things like intone “the Tribe has spoken” when Molly expresses an opinion. “You need to stop taking yourself so seriously, little girl,” Dina said when Molly asked her to knock it off. “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re going to have a very hard life.”

Related Characters: , ,

Page Number and Citation: 130

Explanation and Analysis:

Ralph Thibodeaus Character Timeline in Orphan Train

The timeline below shows where the character Ralph Thibodeaus appears in Orphan Train. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...foster parents argue through the walls. Her foster mother, Dina, is telling her foster father, Ralph, that she wasn’t prepared to take care of a kid with so “many problems.” Through... (full context)

...“persona”. She believes that Dina, who happens to dislike Molly’s goth “persona”, will soon force Ralph to kick her out. Molly even starts packing in case she needs to leave. Her... (full context)

...of her room, so she and Jack hang up. In the living room, Molly tells Ralph and Dina she has found a way to fulfill her community service hours, but that... (full context)

...Dina associates Molly’s every action and mistake with her liberal views. Molly knows Dina and Ralph got together in a “predictable football player-cheerleader story arc,” but she suspects that Ralph disagrees... (full context)

...foster homes where the parents partied and how much calmer things are with the Thibodeaus (Ralph and Dina). Lori tells Molly that there are scholarships available for foster care youth—or Molly... (full context)

Secrets, Reality, and Illusions Theme Icon

At dinner that night, Ralph and Molly discuss her community service project. He says he’s been to Vivian’s house before... (full context)

A week later, Ralph is cheerfully working on his lawn to celebrate the beginning of spring. Molly tries to... (full context)

...they are paid to keep her. Enraged, Dina yells that she’s had “enough.” This time, Ralph’s efforts to calm her make no difference. Dina goes into Molly’s bedroom and comes out... (full context)

Before Molly leaves, Ralph offers her pocket money, a ride, and help with packing. Molly turns him down, resisting... (full context)

...and breakfast, and waits for Vivian. Jack calls. On the phone, she tells him that Ralph and Dina threw her out and she is at Vivian’s. He is angry that she... (full context)

A couple days later, Molly texts Ralph, telling him that she is safe with Vivian. Ralph calls and demands that Molly return... (full context)