Ruth is very central to the play as she is a contrast to the rest of the characters in the play and is a very powerful character. She exerts her power on the family through her sexuality unlike the rest of the family who make violent gestures to show their power. She is the only female in the house, which puts a spotlight on her as she embodies both mother and whore and takes the place of Jessie. She also comes into the house as a stranger to everyone except Lenny, her husband and so interests the family greatly.

When Ruth first comes into the house she immediately seems very self-assured and dominant. She struts around the room showing her supremacy, which is one of the central themes in the play. She uses short to the point answers when she talks to Lenny, which shows she is very...