Are the choices Mama makes to protect Ruth and Eli understandable and forgivable?

Mama reveals many explosive secrets throughout the novel. Are the choices she makes to protect Ruth and Eli understandable and forgivable?

I think they are forgivable because Mama loved both of them fiercely. She loved them so much that she was willing to risk how they might view the lies and might even feel different toward her, because she believed wholeheartedly that the lies were the best way to protect them. And she was willing to do whatever it took to protect them.

I don't really understand Mama's choices but they are definitely forgivable. She certainly did what she felt was right at the time. However I feel that lies always lead to difficulty later on. Mama was trying to protect Ruth obviously but I feel she should have included Ruth in those decisions.

I agree with the previous comment that the actions are forgivable because they were done with love; however, I believe that she should have been more open and honest when Ruth returned and asked for the truth.

I agree with the above comments, particularly with sweeney's observation that Mama should have been more open and honest with Ruth when she asked for the details of what happened to her child.

Mama’s choices are understandable and forgivable because she really believed what she was doing was the best thing for them all.

I agree with the writer in the comment above mine, mama’s choices are understandable and forgivable because she truly believed what she was doing was the best thing for everyone.

I agree with the comments above but especially the point mamma should have been more open and honest with Ruth because that would have made her life decisions easier.

Yes, I do think their actions are understandable and forgivable. I actually think it was kind of cool that they were able to have the child adopted locally, and could keep an eye on him (Eli actually went to jail because he was protecting him). Given the fact that they were obviously seeing the child in the neighborhood, however, I do think it's odd that they never leveled with Ruth, and I'm not sure why that was. When she came looking and asking questions, I think they should have told her everything and cautioned her about the pain she could cause by getting involved at this point in Corey's life.

I had to ponder this… I totally understand the mother wanting to do the very best for her kids and I understand that mama thought she was doing that for Ruth and Eli, but I kind of think that at a certain age, she should have been honest with them. Especially about how their mother didn’t really abandon them and wanted to keep them, because that affected how they felt about themselves all of their lives, that they had been abandoned. And I also believe that Ruth should have been given a more active role and deciding about the fate of her son. Maybe it was best for her to give him up for adoption, to enable herself to go on to college and become successful, but that is a pretty big thing in the life of a woman, and she should have had more choice in the matter .

Momma was out of her zone even though she thought she was doing what was best. Her offenses were forgivable because what was done was done.

I think that Mama's choices are forgivable; she was doing what she thought was in the best interest of the children. She actually did a lot of sacrificing to make sure they were okay.

Mama did the best she knew how with what she had available. She was living her dreams thru Ruth and did not want obstacles in the way. She wanted Ruth out of their town and lifestyle. Eli was a bit different. Once Ruth was on her way, Mama helped Eli as much as she could, knowing he would always remain in town and follow the way of prior generations. Eli became expendable for the betterment of Ruth.