Ruby Franklin: Character Analysis
Quick Facts: Ruby Franklin is a kind caregiver at Hilltop Home and the wife of Roy Franklin. She becomes a maternal figure for Heidi It when she arrives in Liberty. Ruby first appears in Chapter 15 and is defined by her empathy and nurturing spirit.
Who She Is
Ruby Franklin is the embodiment of compassion and maternal warmth in a world marked by uncertainty and loss. As a caregiver at Hilltop Home and wife to the local sheriff, she possesses a quiet strength and a deep well of empathy, born from her own personal tragedies. When Heidi arrives seeking answers about her mother, Sophia Lynne DeMuth (So B. It / Mama), Ruby becomes a beacon of hope, offering her a safe haven and the unconditional love she desperately needs. In a story centered on the search for family, Ruby represents the possibility of finding solace and belonging in the most unexpected places.
Personality & Traits
Ruby's character is defined by her profound kindness and unwavering maternal instincts. She possesses a rare ability to connect with others on a deep emotional level, offering comfort and support without judgment.
- Nurturing and Caring: From their first encounter, Ruby's instinct is to care for Heidi, offering her hot chocolate, a warm coat, and a comforting bath. Her home becomes a sanctuary where Heidi can feel safe and nurtured.
- Empathetic: Having experienced the loss of three babies, Ruby possesses a profound sense of empathy. She immediately recognizes Heidi's distress and offers comfort without prying, understanding the depth of her pain.
- Principled and Brave: Despite working for Thurman Hill, Ruby is not afraid to question his actions. She discreetly helps Heidi search for information about her mother, demonstrating her commitment to doing what is right, even when it's difficult.
- Patient and Gentle: Ruby understands that Heidi needs time and space to heal. She sits with her in silence, offers gentle suggestions, and never pressures her to talk before she is ready. Her patience is instrumental in Heidi's healing process.
Character Journey
Ruby's journey is one of quiet strength and unwavering compassion. While she doesn't undergo a dramatic transformation, her character deepens as her past is revealed and her relationship with Heidi blossoms. The revelation of her past losses adds a layer of profound sadness, explaining the depth of her immediate maternal connection to Heidi. Ultimately, her journey culminates in the fulfillment of her desire for a family, as she and Roy welcome a baby girl, Aurora, into their lives, a name suggested by Heidi. This brings her personal journey full circle, suggesting that Heidi's arrival brought a form of hope and blessing into her life, fulfilling the theme of Unconventional Family and Love.
Key Relationships
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Heidi It: Ruby becomes the stable, loving mother figure Heidi has always longed for. She provides not just physical care but also emotional support during the most difficult time in Heidi's life. Their bond is immediate and deep, culminating in Ruby and Roy offering Heidi a permanent home, solidifying their unconventional family.
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Roy Franklin: Ruby and her husband share a strong, loving, and respectful partnership. They function as a team, making joint decisions about how best to care for Heidi. Their stable relationship provides a model of a healthy family for Heidi, demonstrating the power of mutual support and understanding.
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Elliot Hill: As a caregiver at Hilltop, Ruby has a gentle and patient relationship with Elliot Hill. Her fondness for him is clear, and she understands his needs and behaviors with professional compassion. This highlights her ability to connect with others on a deep, human level, regardless of their circumstances.
Defining Moments
- First Meeting at Hilltop (Chapter 15): Ruby’s initial encounter with Heidi is marked by kindness and curiosity, a stark contrast to Thurman Hill's hostility. She is the first person at Hilltop to show genuine concern for the young girl who has traveled so far, setting the stage for their developing relationship.
- Revealing Her Past Loss (Chapter 18): When Heidi accidentally discovers a drawer full of baby clothes, Ruby shares the heartbreaking story of her three lost babies. This moment of vulnerability creates a deep, unspoken bond between them, rooted in shared experiences of Loss and Grief.
- Comforting Heidi (Chapter 20-21): After Heidi learns of Mama’s death, Ruby is the one who holds her and offers immediate, unconditional comfort. She intuits what Heidi needs, taking her home, running her a bath, and simply sitting with her in her sorrow, providing a safe space for her to grieve.
- Cutting Heidi's Hair (Chapter 22): In a tender, maternal act, Ruby cuts Heidi's hair before Mama's funeral. This moment is symbolic of a fresh start and a transition for Heidi, with Ruby acting as the gentle guide helping her through it.
- Offering a Home (Chapter 23): Ruby and Roy formally offer to adopt Heidi, providing her with the chance for the stable, loving family she has been searching for. This act solidifies Ruby's role as a true maternal figure in Heidi's life, offering her a sense of belonging and security.
Symbolism
Ruby Franklin symbolizes hope, sanctuary, and conventional motherhood. In a world of unconventional relationships, she represents the stability and nurturing care of a traditional mother. Her home is a safe haven where Heidi can finally let her guard down and begin to heal. Her own journey to motherhood, culminating in the birth of her daughter, reinforces the theme that family can be found and created in unexpected ways, bringing new beginnings out of profound loss.
Essential Quotes
"Poor thing. Poor, poor thing." (Chapter 20)
This simple expression of sympathy encapsulates Ruby's immediate empathy for Heidi's situation. It reveals her compassionate nature and her ability to connect with others on a deep emotional level, offering comfort and understanding in times of distress.
"Those belong to the babies I lost," she told me. "There were three." (Chapter 18)
This heartbreaking revelation about her past losses explains the depth of Ruby's maternal instincts and her immediate connection to Heidi. It highlights the profound sadness that underlies her character and her understanding of grief, making her empathy all the more powerful.
"I know you don’t want to think about it, Heidi, but we have to talk about tomorrow... I was thinking maybe you’d like me to cut your hair." (Chapter 22)
This quote demonstrates Ruby's gentle and practical approach to caring for Heidi. She understands the need to address difficult realities while also offering comfort and support, symbolized by the act of cutting Heidi's hair as a fresh start.
"We were thinking maybe you might like to stay with us for a while. You could enroll at the junior high school in town and live right here with us." (Chapter 23)
This offer of a home solidifies Ruby's role as a maternal figure in Heidi's life. It represents the culmination of their relationship and the possibility of a stable, loving family for Heidi, fulfilling the theme of finding belonging in unexpected places.