Small Great Things
Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things (2016) explores themes of race, privilege, and justice through the story of Ruth Jefferson, an African American labor and delivery nurse accused of causing the death of a white supremacist couple’s newborn. The novel alternates perspectives between Ruth, the infant’s father Turk Bauer, and Ruth’s public defender Kennedy McQuarrie, revealing systemic racism and personal biases. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote about doing “small things in a great way,” the narrative examines moral dilemmas and societal structures. The book has been praised for its thought-provoking examination of contemporary racial tensions and is being adapted into a film.
Stage One: Transition — Ruth 2
byPicoult, Jodi
The chapter opens with Ruth waking up in her own bed after being released from jail, savoring the mundane comforts of home—the familiar crack in the ceiling, the pullout couch’s discomfort, and the sounds of garbage trucks. She reflects on her gratitude for these ordinary moments as she prepares coffee and checks on her son, Edison, who is still asleep. Ruth reminisces about watching Edison sleep as a child, marveling at the miracle of his existence and the bond they share. This quiet morning contrasts sharply with the turmoil of her recent arrest, highlighting her emotional vulnerability and the stability she finds in motherhood.
Edison wakes abruptly, concerned about his mother’s presence in his room, and Ruth reassures him that everything is fine. The conversation shifts to his missed school day, which he spent securing her bail, exposing the awkwardness and shame surrounding her legal troubles. Ruth notices a shift in their dynamic as Edison, typically the recipient of her comfort, now consoles her. This role reversal forces her to confront the unexpected ways adulthood manifests—not through grand milestones but through moments of crisis and responsibility. She realizes her actions have inadvertently accelerated Edison’s transition into adulthood, a poignant and unsettling revelation.
Later, Ruth prepares for a meeting with her public defender, Kennedy McQuarrie, struggling to choose appropriate attire for the unfamiliar legal setting. Her discomfort extends to the chaotic public defender’s office, which lacks the professionalism she expected. Kennedy’s enthusiastic greeting and insistence on paying for lunch initially make Ruth wary, as she resists being perceived as a charity case. However, she questions whether Kennedy’s gestures are strategic, meant to build trust. Ruth’s internal conflict reflects her pride and the harsh reality of her financial limitations, which force her to rely on a system she distrusts.
The chapter closes with Ruth’s quiet act of saying grace before lunch, a habit that underscores her faith amidst uncertainty. This moment contrasts with Kennedy’s secular perspective, emphasizing Ruth’s isolation in her beliefs. The encounter encapsulates Ruth’s broader struggle—navigating a legal battle while grappling with her identity, dignity, and the shifting dynamics of her relationship with Edison. The chapter poignantly captures themes of resilience, familial bonds, and the jarring transition from caregiver to someone in need of support.
FAQs
1. How does Ruth’s experience of being released from jail contrast with her normal morning routine, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Ruth wakes up appreciating mundane details she normally takes for granted—the crack in her ceiling, the uncomfortable pullout couch, and even garbage truck sounds—showing her newfound gratitude for freedom after incarceration. This reveals her resilience and ability to find value in ordinary life, even after trauma. Her immediate plan to donate the nightgown worn during her arraignment also demonstrates her desire to move forward and separate herself from that painful experience.2. Analyze the significance of the role reversal between Ruth and Edison in this chapter. What symbolic meaning does this interaction hold?
Answer:
The chapter marks a pivotal moment where Edison comforts Ruth instead of the reverse, symbolizing his transition into adulthood. Ruth reflects that adulthood is “a line drawn in the sand,” and realizes her actions (being jailed) forced Edison across that line prematurely. This shift carries emotional weight—while Ruth feels guilt for burdening him, Edison’s mature response (“You don’t have to thank me”) shows their relationship evolving beyond parent-child dynamics into mutual support.3. How does Ruth’s clothing dilemma before meeting her public defender reflect her internal conflict about her identity and situation?
Answer:
Ruth’s struggle to choose appropriate attire—rejecting both her nurse’s scrubs and church clothes—mirrors her uncertainty about navigating the legal system as an accused person. The navy skirt and unworn Talbots blouse represent an attempt to project respectability and competence, while her hesitation highlights her discomfort with this unfamiliar role. This detail underscores how the charges have disrupted her self-perception as both a medical professional and upstanding community member.4. What does Ruth’s interaction with Kennedy McQuarrie reveal about systemic inequalities in the justice system?
Answer:
Ruth’s skepticism about public defenders (“On TV the people who have private attorneys get acquitted”) reflects real disparities in legal representation. Her anxiety over being a “charity case” when Kennedy pays for lunch shows awareness of power imbalances, even in small gestures. The chaotic public defender’s office (described as a “maze” of boxes) visually contrasts with polished private law firms, reinforcing Ruth’s fear that her economic status may disadvantage her in court—a critical commentary on unequal access to justice.5. How does the author use physical descriptions and sensory details to convey Ruth’s emotional state throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Physical metaphors like the “seismic shift” between Ruth and Edison and the “bar digging into [her] back” externalize her inner turmoil. Sensory details—Edison’s sleepy “rumble,” the tactile memory of Wesley checking their son’s breathing—ground her reflections in bodily experience. The donated nightgown and unworn blouse tags become tangible symbols of transition. These techniques immerse readers in Ruth’s perspective, showing how trauma reverberates through both body and mind.
Quotes
1. “The science of creating another human is remarkable, and no matter how many times I’ve learned about cells and mitosis and neural tubes and all the rest that goes into forming a baby, I can’t help but think there’s a dash of miracle involved, too.”
This quote captures Ruth’s awe at parenthood and the profound transition she’s experiencing as her son takes on an adult role. It reflects the chapter’s theme of shifting relationships and life’s unexpected turning points.
2. “Now I know: adulthood is a line drawn in the sand. At some point, your child will be standing on the other side.”
A powerful metaphor representing the chapter’s central theme of transition. Ruth realizes her son’s sudden maturity came not through gradual milestones, but through her own crisis forcing him across that threshold.
3. “I never expected that something I did would be the thing that pushed him over it.”
This poignant realization shows Ruth’s guilt and surprise at how her arrest accelerated her son’s transition to adulthood. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of unintended consequences and role reversals in parent-child relationships.
4. “Just because everyone can have a lawyer in this country doesn’t mean all lawyers are the same. On TV the people who have private attorneys get acquitted, and the ones with public defenders pretend that there isn’t a difference.”
This quote reveals Ruth’s awareness of systemic inequities in the justice system, a key theme in the book. It shows her pragmatic understanding of the challenges she faces while maintaining her dignity.
5. “What if she’s trying to make me like her as much as I want her to like me?”
This insightful moment captures Ruth’s complex position as both a professional woman and a defendant. It reflects the chapter’s examination of power dynamics, vulnerability, and the need for trust in difficult circumstances.