1. By: Wendy Vitzthum and Emily Elbert
The Book of Ruth
By: Wendy Vitzthum and Emily Elbert

2. Summary
The Book of Ruth is the story of a woman and her daughter-in-law who leave Moab and head towards Bethlehem. The daughter-in-law, Ruth, is trying to carry out the levirate since her husband has died. Ruth ends up finding Boaz, and although he is old, he is the one she ends up marrying. They end up having a child together. *This story deals with the devotion and loyalty to culture and tradition, and the acceptance of roles.

3. Themes
Loyalty
Acceptance

4. Symbols Shoe=testimony/acceptance
Ruth represents devotion and marriage(not wanting to be alone in the world)

5. How It Relates to Us Close family ties Some ladies marry old men
Rewards received for devotion

6. Cultural Details Families are close Monotheistic God decides fate
Hardworking, helpful, kind
Welcoming
Receive things for good deeds/devotion
Levirate
Worship idols
Shoe=testimony(purchased his wife)

7. Figurative Language Epithet Wife of Mahlon(Ruth)
Restorer of thy Life(child of Ruth)
Nourisher of thine old age(child)
Daughter-in-law(Ruth)

8. More Figurative Language and Literary Devices
Personification: “Heart was merry”
Irony: about the child of Ruth being the greatest king of Israel

9. Plot Structure Definite Developed Characters Specific Setting
Short Story

10. 3 4 2 5 1
1: Conflict - the conflict is whether or not Ruth should move to Bethlehem
2: Rising Action - Ruth works for a man named Boaz, and he is very giving to her
3: Climax - when Ruth sleeps by the feet of Boaz, and he wakes up to find her beside him
4: Falling Action - Boaz says another kinsman will be the redeemer of Ruth
5: Resolution - Ruth and Boaz get married and have a son named Obed

11. Questions…
How does Naomi try to persuade Ruth and Orpah not to follow?
How do Ruth and Naomi manage to survive in Bethlehem?
How does Ruth come to attn. Of Boaz? Why does he admire her?
Why does Boaz first ask another relative to “redeem” the property and wife of Elimelech?

12. Questions continued… Values? -Hospitality -Courtesy -Modesty
Acceptance -Respect for custom and tradition
Love story?
Ironic?
Compare to other
stories?

13. Other Stories It Relates To
Song of a Mother to Her Firstborn-love of child and importance of family
Green Willow-carrying out
family traditions/marriage
Beowulf-welcoming of the Danes towards Beowulf and the Geats

14. The End!!!