Ruthie/Rafael Boyelski

Ruthie Boyelski

Ruthie Boyelski, Frida Boyelski’s daughter, is a secondary character in the story “Frida Boyelski’s Shiva” by Abigail Ulman. She is transgender - in her case, this means that she identifies as male (ll. 1-2). Ruthie is 16 years old (l. 33); she has a boyfriend named Jack and a friend named Leah. Both Leah and Jack know about Ruthie’s transgender identity, and they support her (ll. 12- 15).

Ruthie seems to be an activist and a feminist – this is indicated by the posters in her bedroom, which read Occupy Glenhuntly! 4pm Sunday and This is What a Feminist Looks Like (ll. 155-156). We also learn that Ruthie and Leah sometimes do yoga in Ruthie’s bedroom (ll. 54-55). In the story, Ruthie decides to spend some time at her friend Leah’s house over the school holidays. (l. 9).

Outer characterisation

There is little reference to Ruthie’s outer characterisation at the beginning of the story (before she leaves her mother’s house). At the beginning of the story, she is wearing a backpack: “a backpack strap slung over her shoulder.” (l. 8).

Frida remembers several details about Ruthie’s appearance when she was younger: for example, she wore pinafores (a type of dress) for Passover, which she hated, and cut her own hair when she was 13 (ll. 64-66). This also contributes to Ruthie’s inner characterisation. Along with other details, such as the fact that, as a child...