Narrative Voice in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Throughout his career, Tom King has made frequent use of strongly characterized, first person narrative voices and the impacts that they can have on a story. His work on Vision and Mister Miracle are both strong examples of this. Ruthye, in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, is no exception. #supergirl 1/12

Ruthye’s character voice can be described as matter-of-fact, overly polite, and, above all, unemotional. In this, King is perhaps drawing from the performances of both Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld in their respective performances of Mattie Ross from the True Grit films, a known inspiration for WoT. 2/12

As both the narrator of the story and the secondary protagonist, Ruthye’s voice, and what lies beneath it, is deeply important for establishing and advancing a number of key themes in the story, most notably the empty absurdity of rules and mores in the face of a violent and meaningless world. 3/12

Ruthye’s narration opens the story: “My father, whose name I will not record here, for I do not wish it learned, did not die a dignified or honorable death. A criminal and a thief and a liar, who at that time identified himself as Krem and claimed the Yellow Hill as his place of origin…” 4/12

“…stabbed him through with a kopis blade. Krem had come upon our rock farm the day before…he got into words with my father on the subject of our new king. These words were ended when Krem unsheathed his weapon. My dear father was unharmed.” 5/12

In this opening narration we see King (in Ruthye’s voice) speaking volumes through absence whilst establishing, immediately, the importance of what is unsaid in Ruthye’s account. What Ruthye doesn’t say is that Krem stabbed her father. She skips over that. It hurts too much to express. 6/12

At the same time, the tense juxtaposition of Ruthye’s poised speech throughout the series with the obvious emotional compulsions that drive her toward a suicide mission form a compelling and humanizing duality for the character, forcing the audience to read between the lines constantly. 7/12

Ruthye’s emotionally repressed voice also provides an important foil to Supergirl who, in King’s iteration, is quite empathic and even bubbly (especially when drunk) save for the somber moments that demand a glimpse into her own inner turmoil. 8/12

Additionally, Ruthye’s emotional repression can enhance the gender commentary in the story, reflecting the idea of gender repression in society and the cruelty of women being conditioned to suffer in silence whilst maintaining an arbitrary (or even patriarchal) standard of polite communication. 9/12

As she begs Supergirl to spare Krem, her, Ruthye’s voice attests to the power of feminine persistence:

“Worlds will live and worlds will die and evil will carve its name into the innocent and good people will do good acts and suffer all the same…” 10/12

“…And everywhere girls will be born with their eyes open to the hate ahead of them, and they will wonder if their voice will be heard above the screams. And in that moment of doubt they will learn, as I have learned, on the legend of Supergirl who lost everything and kept on walking.” 11/12

In this, Ruthye delivers the thesis of the book with regard to who Supergirl is, and even why Supergirl is. That this philosophy is delivered in the voice of an emotionally-repressed young girl is, of course, all the more poignant. 12/12