Ruth’s only childhood friend from Suffolk. Frances wasn’t Jewish, but unlike many people in the community, she didn’t care what religion Ruth was. She was gentle, quiet, and kind, and did her best to make Ruth feel welcome in her house and in her town. The two reconnect decades later when James takes his mother back to Suffolk.
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Frances Moody Character Timeline in The Color of Water
The timeline below shows where the character Frances Moody appears in The Color of Water. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: Shul
In the fourth grade, Ruth makes her first and only friend, Frances. Frances isn’t Jewish, but she doesn’t care that Ruth is. Although Tateh disapproves of Ruth’s...
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As a child, many of the families around Ruth are poor, regardless of race, Frances’s family included. Comparably, Ruth’s family is relatively well off and she has “to admit I...
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Chapter 15: Graduation
As graduation approaches, Frances asks Ruth to walk with her. Ruth hasn’t shared any of the trouble in her...
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On graduation day Ruth is nervous. Frances understands, and tells Ruth that if she can’t go into the church, Frances can graduate...
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Chapter 20: Old Man Shilsky
...remember anyone in the town, but she tells James he can look for her friend Frances or her family. Once he gets into town James goes to a McDonald’s, which he...
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Chapter 25: Finding Ruthie
...she comments that “nothing’s changed.” The two of them are looking for Ruth’s childhood friend Frances, whose address they find in the Suffolk town library. Together the pair drive to Frances’s...
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