In "A Widow for One Year" by John Irving, the conversation between Ruth and a prostitute reveals a deeper truth about the myriad experiences people go through in life. Ruth's astonishment at the prostitute's words—"That's actually happened?"—indicates her naivety or sheltered background, contrasting sharply with the prostitute's more experienced perspective on life.
The line "Everything's happened," from the prostitute, signifies a worldview shaped by a myriad of life experiences, suggesting that all kinds of events are part of the human experience. This exchange serves to highlight themes of innocence versus experience and the complexity of human lives, establishing a poignant moment of revelation for Ruth.