Essay Questions

What tragedy occurs while Ruth and Martin are studying at graduate school?

While Ruth and Martin are studying at Harvard Law School, Martin receives the tragic news that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He becomes very unwell, and as a result, Ruth attends his lectures and takes notes for him. This shows Ruth's intelligence, competency, and dedication to her husband.

What is the case Moritz v. Commissioner about?

The case Moritz v. Commissioner is a case about a man whose mother becomes unwell. As a result of this, he had to hire a nurse; he was unable to get a tax reduction as this is only available for women. As such, this case is an example of where the law is prejudice on the basis of sex towards men, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg therefore saw this as an opportunity to challenge the inherent sexism of the law.

Why does Ruth struggle to get a job as a lawyer after graduating from law school?

Despite graduating top of her class at Harvard Law School, Ruth struggles to get a job at a law firm. This is due to the reluctance of law firms to employ women, as it wasn't very common at the time. As such, Ruth is restricted from entering her chosen career due to her gender, which is something she challenges later in the film.