"Crossing Over" Summary

Introduction

Imagine growing up in a world where horse-drawn buggies are the norm, electricity is forbidden, and community rules dictate every aspect of life. Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life by Ruth Irene Garrett pulls us into this fascinating, cloistered universe. Through her compelling memoir, Ruth not only lifts the veil on Amish traditions but also shares the deeply personal and emotional journey of leaving everything she’s ever known. This book isn’t just about crossing a physical boundary—it’s about challenging the emotional, cultural, and spiritual borders that define us.

For college students and lecturers, Crossing Over offers a vivid case study in cultural identity, religious tradition, and the complex process of personal transformation. Whether you’re interested in sociology, religious studies, or just a great human story, Ruth’s memoir delivers an unforgettable narrative with both heart and insight.

Historical Context

To understand Ruth’s journey, it helps to grasp the larger Amish story. The Amish are descendants of the Anabaptist movement, which sprang up in 16th-century Switzerland and Germany. Persecuted for their radical ideas—like adult baptism and separation from state—they fled to North America, settling mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the Midwest.

By the time Ruth was born in 1966, the Amish had developed a reputation for their plain dress, resistance to modern technology, and tightly-knit communities. But beneath the serene surface lies a world of strict rules, deep faith, and, as Ruth reveals, profound personal struggle.

Notable Figures and Inspirations

• Jakob Ammann: Founder of the Amish sect in the late 17th century.
• The Ordnung: The unwritten code of conduct that governs Amish life.
• Amish Bishops and Elders: Authority figures whose decisions shape community rules and individual destinies.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

Crossing Over chronicles Ruth Irene Garrett’s life from her childhood in one of America’s strictest Amish sects through her tumultuous decision to leave her family and faith behind. The memoir is both a coming-of-age story and an exploration of what it means to seek freedom—even when it comes at a steep price.

Setting

The story unfolds primarily in rural Iowa, within a conservative Old Order Amish community. Picture pastoral landscapes: rolling fields, one-room schoolhouses, and farmhouses lit by kerosene lamps. The atmosphere is serene, yet restrictive—a place where tradition and conformity are prized above all.

Main Characters

Here’s a quick glance at the key players in Ruth’s story:

Plot Summary

Let’s break down Ruth’s journey into its major arcs:

Growing Up Amish

Ruth’s early years are steeped in tradition. Her days revolve around chores, worship, and the rhythms of the farm. Without TV, radio, or electricity, she learns to find joy in small things—a new dress, a good harvest, a family meal. Yet, Ruth’s natural curiosity sometimes clashes with the community’s rigid norms.

Cracks in the Façade

As Ruth enters her teens, she begins to question the rules that govern her life. Why must they dress plainly? Why is education limited to the eighth grade? And why can’t she have friends outside the community? These questions gnaw at her, even as she tries to be a “good Amish girl.”

Rumspringa: A Taste of Freedom

Rumspringa—literally “running around”—is a period when Amish youth are allowed to explore the outside world before deciding whether to join the church. For Ruth, it’s a heady mix of excitement and guilt. She attends dances, sneaks off to the movies, and even befriends “Englishers” (non-Amish people), including Danny, who will later change her life.

The Decision to Leave

Ruth’s growing relationship with Danny, combined with her mounting doubts, pushes her to make an agonizing choice: stay with her family and faith, or leave for a new life of freedom—and uncertainty. The process is wrenching, filled with fear, hope, and heartbreak.

Crossing Over

After leaving, Ruth grapples with the challenges of the modern world. Simple things—like using a phone, wearing jeans, or finding a job—are daunting. She struggles with homesickness and guilt, haunted by the knowledge that she may never see her family again.

Building a New Life

With Danny’s support, Ruth slowly builds a new identity. She pursues education, forms new friendships, and advocates for better understanding between Amish and non-Amish worlds. But the pain of separation never fully leaves her, and she must continually reconcile her past with her present.

Themes and Motifs

Crossing Over is rich with themes that resonate far beyond the Amish context:

• Identity and Belonging: Ruth’s struggle is fundamentally about finding her own identity amidst powerful communal expectations.
• Tradition vs. Change: The tension between preserving tradition and embracing change is a constant undercurrent.
• Faith and Doubt: Ruth’s spiritual journey is marked by both deep faith and probing doubt.
• Family and Community: The memoir explores the joys and sorrows of close-knit family life, as well as the cost of breaking away.
• Freedom and Sacrifice: Every gain for Ruth entails a loss—be it familial bonds, cultural security, or spiritual certainty.

Motifs

• Plain Dress: Symbolizes conformity and communal identity.
• Buggies and Modern Cars: Emblematic of the divide between Amish and “English” worlds.
• Letters and Silence: Communication, or lack thereof, becomes a recurring motif as Ruth’s ties to her family are tested.

Literary Techniques and Style

Ruth Garrett’s memoir stands out for its simplicity and emotional resonance. She employs:

• First-person narrative: Creates intimacy and immediacy.
• Vivid imagery: Brings Amish life to life—from the smell of baking bread to the feel of homespun fabric.
• Contrast: Juxtaposes the serenity of Amish life with the chaos and freedom of the outside world.
• Anecdote and humor: Ruth uses stories—sometimes funny, sometimes poignant—to illustrate larger truths.
• Reflective tone: She frequently steps back to analyze her own choices, making the memoir both personal and contemplative.

Author's Background

About Ruth Irene Garrett

Ruth Irene Garrett was born into an Old Order Amish family in Iowa in 1966. Her firsthand experience and eventual departure from the community give her memoir an authenticity and depth that few outsiders could match.

Influences and Impact

Ruth’s writing is shaped by her deep respect for her roots, as well as her longing for freedom. Her story has resonated with readers across backgrounds, sparking conversations about religious freedom, cultural identity, and the meaning of home.

Other Works

Ruth has co-authored several books with her husband, Danny, further exploring Amish culture and the challenges of “crossing over.”

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Boundaries are Deeply Personal: Ruth’s struggle shows that leaving a community means leaving behind a piece of yourself.
• Tradition Offers Comfort and Constraint: The Amish way of life is both nurturing and limiting.
• Freedom Comes at a Cost: Pursuing personal happiness often requires painful sacrifices.
• Family Bonds are Resilient—But Not Unbreakable: Ruth’s story is a testament to both the strength and fragility of family ties.
• Understanding Requires Empathy: The memoir encourages readers to approach different cultures with openness and compassion.

Reader's Takeaway

Crossing Over is more than a memoir—it’s an invitation to step into another world and see it through someone else’s eyes. Ruth’s story will challenge your assumptions, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you pondering the true meaning of home, faith, and freedom. For college students, it’s a powerful lesson in cultural anthropology; for everyone else, it’s a deeply human story of courage and transformation.

Conclusion

Ruth Irene Garrett’s Crossing Over is a beautifully written memoir that illuminates the joys and sorrows of Amish life, and the profound courage required to leave it behind. Whether you’re fascinated by the Amish, interested in stories of personal transformation, or simply love a compelling narrative, this book is well worth your time. Ruth’s journey reminds us that the hardest journeys are often the most rewarding, and that the search for identity is a universal human experience.

If you’re ready to cross over into a world that is at once foreign and familiar, Ruth’s memoir is the perfect place to begin. So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to see the world—and yourself—a little differently.