What should one do? If Ruth had any better luck with him I would have thought that he simply had to attach himself to antifatherly gods until he proved himself a man in his own terms...She followed him to the bottom of his burrow, trying to understand, she forgave him incessantly, she was the pacifying force when he and I clashed. And he went out of his way to treat her with even greater impatience and contempt than he treated me. His wretched treatment of his mother was one of the commonest sources of our quarrels. Sometimes I wondered if he didn't abuse her because she tended to take his side - he wanted no mediator between us.
In the text, there is a reflection on the dynamics of a relationship complicated by conflict and emotional struggle. Ruth's loyalty and forgiveness towards her son are evident as she tries to stand by him, even as he exhibits disdain and impatience towards her. This troubling behavior raises questions about the nature of their bond and his need for independence, leading to tension between her and the narrator.
The narrator observes that the son seems to thrive on discord, particularly in how he treats his mother, which is a source of frequent disputes. The idea emerges that he may lash out at Ruth partly because she shows sympathy towards the narrator. This complex interplay of attachment and rejection within their family adds depth to their relationships, highlighting the challenges of understanding one another amidst personal turmoil.
