Doctorows Novel Ragtime - Term Paper Example

Ragtime I. Introduction Many individuals have struggle accepting change. It takes quite some time for one to adapt to this. For regions of a country or even whole nations, change may take decades or possibly centuries. Edgar Lawrence Doctorow can certainly relate to this. The celebrated author grew up in New York City in the 1930s, a hotbed a culture clashing together. Doctorow's novel "Ragtime" is a story about three families living during the earlier part of the twentieth century with the first family consisting of a father and a mother and their little boy. The storyline shifts to references to a real-life story of Evelyn Nesbit whose husband shot his lover. Throughout this second story, Doctorow introduces the rest of the characters using names similar to real people in history. Several different stories happen within this one narrative, which ends in the assassination of an archduke and the families being united. In his novel “Ragtime”, the author examines the culture clash at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the old, implanted culture found itself exposed to new ideas. II. Social Changes Throughout the novel, there are major instances of both social and cultural changes. The cultural changes in the novel are depicted as from when the unions were created to when the middle class age was created. Due to the development of unions, there was movement of class from the lower class of the society to the middle classes of the society. Examples of social changes that took place were when the women characters in the novel changed their sexual preferences due to the revolution of the black rights. The two main characters in the novel who were believed to have followed the changes that took place are Tateh and her young brother In sex, the character Evelyn Nesbit represents the true rise of the sexualized female in the novel. Evelyn used her body and her unique sexuality to gain prominence in the whole capitalist system. This is well described by Emma Goldman in the novel. III. Progressive Movement The period between 1900 -1917 represents the progressive era under which the novel is set. That period was marked with rapid developments in the area of industrialization and technological developments. The period was also marked by large numbers of those who were migrating in the United States and there was also an increase of American Landscape. Due to technological advancement, there was increase in production and efficiency. However, the technological advancements had negative effects to the characters in the novel for example to J.P Morgan when he had a discussion with Henry Ford. "From these principles Ford established the final proposition of the theory of industrial manufacture - not only that the parts of the finished product be interchangeable, but that the men who build the products be themselves interchangeable parts." (Doctorow chapter 18 ). In this statement, the author wants to bring out the effects of technology as it undermined the true value of the individuals and his or her abilities. IV. Symbolism The author of the novel has succeeded in the use of symbolism in the whole novel. A good example is the father represents the traditional norms of the late nineteenth century America. As such, he finds it difficult to come to terms with the changes he witnesses in the progressive Era. The novel represents the father to be very conservative and cautious as he did not want to be like his own father who was irresponsible and who also lost a lot of money through bad investment. The author describes the father as an explorer and one who upholds good reputation. The other symbolism in the novel is evident on page 34-35. “at places in the New York and Chicago people gave poverty balls. Guests were dressed in rags and ate from ton plates and drank from chipped mugs… Ballrooms were decorated to look like mines…Guests smoked cigar butts offered to them on silver trays…They dined and danced while hanging carcasses of bloody beef trailed around the walls on moving pulleys. Entrails spilled on the floor. He proceeds were for charity.” (Doctorow 34-35). The above statement symbolizes the way the rich people used to ignore the poor people. The rich disregarded the poor and they thought that they have no one to take care of them in the world. Evelyn Nesbitt represents the rise of the sexualized female in turn-of the century America: Doctorow even explicably labels her the first sex goddess. The other symbolism is evident when Freud made a visit to America and he was never contented with what he saw and the experiences that he got in that country. He gave the country the name gigantic mistake and this symbolizes the mentality that many people have especially those from outside concerning America. Many outsides describe the country as young and still growing pains. The author has also succeeded in the use of linguistic devices and literary devices for example, Evelyn Nesbit being a major character is also represented as a protagonist. “I will stay with the child when you go to work.”( p. 41) “ Oh, I hate to cry…Crying makes me ugly”(p. 48). “ It occurred to Evelyn one day that Harry might indeed love her. She was stunned” (P. 72). In the novel the father also is represented as protagonist. “Father was an amateur explorer of considerable reputation. (p. 8). “He was a burly man with strong appetites, but he appreciated his wife’s reluctance to assume the indelicate attitudes that answered to his needs.” ( p. 10) “When a property owner in this city walks into court with a Negro, a charge like this is usually dismissed.” ( p. 153). The father also had feelings of bewilderment and isolation, feelings that are evident in usually reflects an attitude prevalent in my Americans people at that particular point in history. It is evident from the novel that the father used to resent the changes that occurred in his family as well. V. Allusion Doctorow makes use of figurative language with the incorporation of allusion in the story. He makes real allusions to actual people, events and places in his whole story in the novel. He makes allusions to such people characters as J.P Morgan, Henry Ford and Emma Goldman and also the visit that Freud had to United States. A perfect example of Allusion in the novel is evidenced on page 57, “ A letter had arrive from the Republican Inaugural Committee inquiring if the firm would care to bid on the decoration and fireworks contract for the inauguration parade and ball the following January, When Mr. Taft was expected to succeed Mr. Roosevelt” ( Doctorow 57). This allusion to events that happened in the past history and he interconnects them with the fictional characters that are in the novel. A perfect example is where the author alludes at the initial stages of one character Henry Ford assembly lines and the other character in the novel J.P Morgan’s vast wealth and the personal wealth and status that accompanied such a person. Such wealth and privileges include such status as the J. P wanted to put up his own pyramid in the country of Egypt together with other pharaohs who were in that country. Conclusion Through symbolism and allusion, the author analyzes the culture clash of the early twentieth century. Social changes and the Progressive Movement are paramount proponents of this clash. Change is not always for the better. Moving from city to city or changing job does not always bring one happiness or success. Cultures colliding together most certainly would not produce this, but this theme surely surpasses time. The author has succeeded in the use of literary devices in the whole novel. The other has also constructed his work well and one idea flows to the other one. His theme is well presented and is also evident in the novel. The use of the figurative language has enabled the author to analyze all the themes in the whole novel and connect with the audience. Work Cited Joel. J. P. Ragtime. Journal of literary work. Vol5 no. 4 (1993) Michael James . Themes, motifs and Character analysis. (2003) Philp Lop . The impact of technological development on culture (1999). James McGrack . figurative in Ragtime. Journal of Literary devices. Vol. 5 issue5 (2010) E.L . Ragtime. New York. Penguin Books Limited. (2012). Print Outline of the paper I. Introduction A. (Attention Grabber) -Many individuals have struggle accepting change. It takes quite some time for one to adapt to this. For regions of a country or even whole nations, change may take decades or possibly centuries. B. (Author Information)- Edgar Lawrence Doctorow can certainly relate to this. The celebrated author grew up in New York City in the 1930s, a hotbed a culture clashing together. C. (Summary)- Doctorow's novel "Ragtime" is a story about three families living during the earlier part of the twentieth century with the first family consisting of a father and a mother and their little boy. The storyline shifts to references to a real-life story of Evelyn Nesbit whose husband shot his lover. Throughout this second story, Doctorow introduces the rest of the characters using names similar to real people in history. Several different stories happen within this one narrative, which ends in the assassination of an archduke and the families being united. D. (Thesis Statement)- In his novel “Ragtime”, the author examines the culture clash at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the old, implanted culture found itself exposed to new ideas. *Don’t change this and you need to base the whole term paper on this thesis statement* II. Idea #1: Social Changes A. Civil Rights B. Sex C. Victims and Victimization III. Idea #2: Progressive Movement A. Technological Development B. Reform IV. Idea #3: Symbolism A. Father 1. represents the traditional norms of the late nineteenth century America. As such, he finds it difficult to come to terms with the changes he witnesses in the Progressive Era. B. Evelyn Nesbitt 1. represents the rise of the sexualized female in turn-of-the-century America; Doctorow even explicably labels her the first sex goddess V. Idea #4: Allusion A. Henry Ford B. J.P. Morgan VI. Conclusion A. Through symbolism and allusion, the author analyzes the culture clash of the early twentieth century. Social changes and the Progressive Movement are paramount proponents of this clash. B. Change is not always for the better. Moving from city to city or changing job does not always bring one happiness or success. Cultures colliding together most certainly would not produce this, but this theme surely surpasses time. Read More