The Book of Ruth is a coming-of-age story. In what ways does Ruth transform as an individual? Are the changes uniformly positive, negative, or a mix of both?

What role does religion play in The Book of Ruth? Is Ruth more aptly characterized as religious or spiritual? How does Ruth’s relationship to religion and/or spirituality change throughout the course of the novel?

How does the relationship between Ruth and Ruby develop throughout the novel? How do each of their individual behaviors contribute to this development? In what ways do they each enable the characteristics and behaviors of the other?