Sisterhood

Throughout her novel, What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez, Jiménez thematically examines sisterhood. The author utilizes the relationship between her characters Jessica and Nina to inspect the comradery of sisterhood. In Chapter 16, when Dolores insists on going to Boston with her daughters, “Jessica and [Nina] exchange What the fuck should we do? glances in that silent sign language of siblings developed by decades of being fed, hugged, dressed, and beaten inside the same house. [Nina] shrug[s] and with a flick of [her] hand indicate[s], This is all you, girl. I’m staying out of this” (176). The author enacts their silent communication in order to demonstrate the solidarity and support Nina and Jessica foster in their sisterhood. Without verbally articulating their thoughts, the women are able to express their concerns, frustrations, and apprehensions. Without this comradery, Nina and Jessica would have struggled to navigate their...