Ruth DeWitt BukaterRuth was born 1870 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A typical example of an early 20th Century socialite, Ruth DeWitt Bukater is the mother of Rose DeWitt Bukater and the widowed wife of Rose's father. The unexpected death of Rose's father has left Ruth and Rose in financial ruin. In order to secure her and Rose's welfare, Ruth is intent on having her daughter marry the steel magnate Caledon Hockley. She loves her daughter but believes marriage to Cal is the right thing to do. Ruth boards the RMS Titanic along with Rose, Cal, Spicer Lovejoy, and Trudy Bolt, Ruth's maid. Although Jack saved Rose from "falling", she deeply hates and disregards Jack merely for his third-class status, and considers him a threat to her daughter's upcoming marriage. She shares a tender moment with Rose while she attempts to make Rose realize how much is at stake with the engagement. Upon hearing of her daughter's time with Jack at a steerage party, she demands that Rose no longer sees "that boy" whom she feels is endangering her and Rose's financial welfare. When the ship hits an iceberg and starts to sink, Ruth considers the "drill" to be a nuisance. Upon hearing of her daughter's affair with Jack, she conspires with Cal and Lovejoy to frame Jack for stealing Cal's diamond and bribe the master-at-arms to go along with the plan. On the lifeboat deck, Ruth makes inconsiderate remarks about lifeboat seating. Disgusted, Rose defies her mother again and runs off to find and rescue Jack. Ruth, who had already gotten into a lifeboat, can do nothing more than to scream and beg for Rose to come back. Ruth watches as the Titanic sinks, with her daughter still on it. She is in Lifeboat 6, with Margaret "Molly" Brown, whom she helped row away from the ship. The lifeboat does not return to pick up any survivors in the water. It is unknown what happens to Ruth following the sinking. Since Ruth was penniless when she was on the Titanic, it is likely that she either had to spend the rest of her life seeking out a living as a maid or seamstress and ultimately died in poverty. If she gained any money from lawsuits against the White Star Line, it would only be for possessions lost. It is even possible that Ruth maintained the family's high social status, and luxurious way of life from Rose being an actress.Credit: Wikipedia.org Rose: It's so unfair. Ruth: Of course it's unfair. We're women. Our choices are never easy. Ruth: Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Dawson. I hear they are quite good on this ship. Jack: The best I've seen, ma'am. Hardly any rats. Ruth: You're not to see that boy again. Do you understand me? Rose, I forbid it. Rose: Oh stop it, mother. You'll give yourself a nose bleed. Ruth: Will the lifeboats be seated according to class? I hope they aren't too crowded. Credit: Imdb.com |