Essay Questions

What is satirical about Ruby’s mother?

Naturally, a mother is attached to her biological children but the reader witnesses the opposite in the Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Ruby’s mother exhibits a funny character because she has no affection towards Ruby simply because she gave birth to her out of unplanned pregnancy. It is ironic that the mother has no natural attachment to her daughter. The reader ends up thinking that this mother needs counseling because she is doing the opposite of what she is expected to do.

Is poor child-rearing the main theme in the Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson?

The lack of a role model for Ruby in her family is a reflection of poor parenting. Ruby has absent parents despite them being there physically. Kate Atkinson illustrates that poor parenting can lead to a disconnected family. Ruby is lonely and grows up in denial because she receives no attention from her parents. Towards the end of the novel, the reader realizes that Ruby is able to overcome her challenges but she swears that she will not ignore her children when her time for parenting approaches.

Why is Ruby Lennox going through difficulties in most of her life?

Ruby is not a fortunate girl despite being born in a middle-class family in New York. She receives no affection from her mother because she was born out of unplanned pregnancy. It is not Ruby’s fault to be born out of inadvertent pregnancy but she is paying the price for that mistake. Secondly, she has negative publicity within her family because she is accused of the death of her twin sister. Gillian false accused her that she pushed Pearl into the freezing waters. Ruby’s father is no better either because he has no time for her. Therefore, Ruby grows up a lonely girl and she decides to leave her home and never to return after her graduation.