Final answer:
Ruth Behar might tell her younger self, young Ruthie, to embrace curiosity, her cultural identity, and to pursue writing with resilience. She may emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in personal growth and as tools to connect with others. Behar would likely encourage Ruthie to face life's challenges with courage and authenticity.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Ruth Behar were to speak to her younger self, young Ruthie, she might impart wisdom gained from her experiences as an author and academic. She might encourage young Ruthie to be curious, to embrace her unique cultural identity, and to pursue her passions for writing and storytelling with resilience. It's likely Behar would advise her to be compassionate and to use her voice to bridge cultural divides, a theme prevalent in her works. Drawing upon her own experiences, Behar might also highlight the importance of empathy and understanding, which are not only vital characteristics for personal growth but are also potent tools for an author to connect intimately with her audience.
Characters from various literary works often face challenges related to self-identity, societal expectations, and personal growth; reflections on these subjects have been explored in Behar's works. Ruthie might be told that it's okay to feel out of place or different, as it is often those very differences that make her story worth telling and can have a significant impact on others. Behar might also remind young Ruthie that life will have its obstacles but facing them with courage and staying true to oneself is crucial.