Rain Symbol Analysis

Instances of rainy weather, especially when characters actually get wet, are unifying or community-building moments throughout the novel. Storms bring women to the hospital to deliver early, resulting in the close and trusting relationships Ruth describes with most of her patients. Particularly between Ruth and Kennedy, the few times they go out together (which is often in the rain) result in both of them getting soaking wet. Through their laughter about the weather, both Ruth and Kennedy are able to come to the realization that despite their differences in lifestyle, profession, age, and skin color, they both get wet just the same—in this one way, they're equal.