Ruth Erskine's Crosses

In Short

This novel follows Ruth Erskine, a woman of cultivated tastes and high social standing, as she grapples with the unexpected disruption of her orderly life. When her father remarries, Ruth must navigate the presence of a stepmother and sister who lack her social polish but possess a sincere, if bewildering, faith. Through domestic trials, financial ruin, and personal illness, the narrative explores the friction between outward propriety and inward spiritual growth. It remains a deeply human study of how pride, duty, and the "bitter herbs" of life can eventually yield joy.

The Story

Ruth Erskine begins her journey as a woman defined by her rigid standards and careful adherence to social propriety. Her world is thrown into disarray when her father, Judge Erskine, remarries, bringing a woman into the home whose lack of refinement is a constant source of embarrassment to Ruth. To make matters worse, Ruth finds herself with a new stepsister, Susan, who represents everything Ruth finds alien. Ruth views her stepmother’s chatter and lack of "proper" behavior as a heavy cross—a trial imposed upon her by forces outside her control.

As the family dynamic settles, the conflict moves from mere social awkwardness to deeper questions of character. Ruth enters into a marriage with Judge Burnham, hoping to find a partner who aligns with her own sensibilities. However, her life remains a series of struggles. She is caught in a "wretched middle state," neither fully committed to the world nor entirely surrendered to her faith. She watches as others, including her sister Susan, find peace through their religious convictions, while she continues to fret over appearances and the perceived inadequacies of those around her.

The narrative arc reaches a turning point when Judge Erskine suffers a sudden, catastrophic loss of his entire fortune. The family is forced to confront the reality of poverty and the fragility of their social status. During this period of upheaval, Ruth’s father falls gravely ill with a repulsive, loathsome disease. In this hour of desperate need, it is the much-maligned stepmother who proves her worth through tireless, self-abnegating care, forcing Ruth to confront the shallowness of her own judgments.

The final act of the story centers on the "baptism of suffering." As Ruth navigates the ruins of her father’s former life and the complexities of her own marriage, she is forced to abandon her haughty detachment. Her journey concludes with a profound shift in perspective. She begins to see her stepmother and sister not as obstacles to her dignity, but as instruments of grace. The story ends with a humbled Ruth, who, after reaching the end of her own strength, finds a new capacity for gratitude. She acknowledges that her burdens were not merely external trials, but opportunities to replace a spirit of heaviness with the "oil of joy."

How It Unfolds

The arrival of strangers Ruth stands in her hall, confronted by the reality of a new mother and sister whose existence she had not anticipated. She struggles to reconcile her duty to her father with the deep, internal sense of rejection she feels toward these uninvited family members.

The clash of cultures The household becomes a stage for social friction, where Ruth’s refined sensibilities are constantly pricked by her stepmother’s lack of propriety. During visits and social calls, Ruth lives in a state of perpetual embarrassment, convinced that her suffering is a result of her father’s choices.

A test of faith The narrative introduces a spiritual dimension as other characters discuss the necessity of faith, often leaving Ruth feeling isolated. Susan, in particular, challenges Ruth’s worldview by suggesting that social grace is secondary to the "justification by faith" that creates true inner peace.

Financial and physical ruin The family’s stability vanishes when Judge Erskine loses his fortune and falls into a dangerous illness. These twin crises strip away the veneer of the family’s social life, forcing Ruth to witness her stepmother’s genuine, sacrificial love.

The final surrender Ruth reaches a breaking point where her own attempts at control fail her completely. Through the process of nursing her father and observing the quiet dedication of her family, she releases her pride and finds a sincere, newfound spiritual reconciliation.

The People

Ruth Erskine is the central figure, whose primary desire is to maintain a life of dignity, order, and social grace. Her growth is hindered by an intense, often unspoken pride that causes her to look down on others. By the end, she is transformed from a rigid, judgmental woman into someone who can finally acknowledge her own need for grace.

Susan Erskine, the step-sister, serves as a steadying, wise influence. She is unbothered by Ruth’s haughtiness and remains grounded in her faith. Throughout the book, she acts as a mediator, offering kindness even when it is met with coldness, and eventually becomes a source of comfort to Ruth.

The Stepmother is the book’s most dynamic character, providing a stark contrast to Ruth. Though she is uncultured and prone to saying the wrong thing, she possesses a capacity for "self-abnegation" that becomes the family's salvation. Her tireless care during the father's illness forces the other characters to re-evaluate what truly constitutes "good breeding."

In Its Own Voice

“I never could understand why my burnt finger should pain me any the less because somebody else had burned her entire arm.”

In a conversation about the nature of suffering, one of the characters argues that Ruth’s personal trials are no less valid simply because others might endure greater hardships.

“I suspect, dear friend, that you, at this moment, are the victim of some inconsistency which your next-door neighbor sees plainly, and which, possibly, injures your influence over her, and you are not conscious of it.”

The narrator pauses to address the reader directly, highlighting the central theme of hidden faults and the difficulty of seeing one’s own flaws.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an examination of the "divided heart." It asks whether one can truly live a meaningful life while prioritizing social status, aesthetic refinement, and human approval over deeper spiritual commitments. The "crosses" referenced in the title are not merely the external annoyances of an unwanted family situation; they are the internal burdens of vanity and self-righteousness. The argument presented is that true maturity—and true peace—only arrives when one stops trying to curate their surroundings and instead accepts the "bitter herbs" of life as a necessary discipline. It is a quiet, persistent plea for humility over pride and for the abandonment of a "world-tossed" existence in favor of a singular devotion.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate slow-burning character studies will find much to admire here. The book captures the feeling of living in a house where you feel like an outsider, and it captures the specific, painful sting of being embarrassed by one’s own family. It is a period piece that does not shy away from the class-based anxieties of the late 19th century, which may feel alien to some, but the underlying emotional journey—the struggle to let go of one's ego—is timeless.

Those who enjoy literature about family secrets, household politics, and the slow, often agonizing process of personal change will find this a deeply rewarding read. It is not a fast-paced novel; it requires a willingness to sit with the characters in their moments of quiet reflection and even their moments of profound, petty irritation. While the language is formal and the societal expectations of the characters are distant from our own, the fundamental human dilemma—wanting to be "right" versus wanting to be "good"—is something any reader will recognize. You will likely walk away from the book thinking less about the Victorian setting and more about the "secret faults" that might currently be clouding your own view of the people closest to you.