What do you make of Ruth's statement?: "Shallow? What do you mean [George is] shallow? He's RICH!"

Ruth is reacting to Beneatha's statement, "Oh, I just mean I couldn't ever really be serious about George. He's—he's so shallow," meaning George doesn't have a lot that seriously attracts her. Ruth's response is almost funny..... she doesn't care if George is lacking in personality, his personality doesn't much matter..... the man has money.

The Younger family is in a time where money means everything. When Beneatha calls George shallow, she's talking about his lack of personality and his lack of opinion. The man is not an idealistic like Bennie. Ruth replies exasperated that he is rich, because at this point in time the man himself does not matter, but only the money to Ruth. This relates a current theme in the book, which is a Dream Deffered. Ruth is so desperate for money so she can raise a family that she is blinded to Beneatha's problem.