Doctorows novel entitled Ragtime stands above them all due to its unique blend of historical and fictional figures and events that played a key role in American history. DoctorowĪ great number of books depict the United States and its citizens in the first half of the 20th century the time, when attitudes, morals, beliefs and points of view were changing rapidly. Doctorow.Correspondence of Characters in Ragtime by E. How people can change (“… Father noted that he suffered no embarrassment by being in the parlor… on the contrary, he acted as if it was the most natural thing in the world…”) and how this is all intertwined with the major events and people of this time in America is the main theme supplied by E. ![]() In this extract we can see the personification of the end of emancipation from slavery – “…everyone applauded…” – the new time had come – the time of freedom and independence. This music in Coalhouse’s performance made all the Family gather in the room. The Ragtime – the music of nightlife New-York. But manners of Coalhouse were full of elegancy – his way of pattering his lips with the napkin, placing the napkin beside his cup. These words made Father’s face reddened – WHAT? A NEGRO DARED say such words? It was inconceivable for those period that such lowest society dared say such things. In the climax of this story we see not a “Negro” – “White’s” slaves – but a cultured, self-conscious good musician playing the piano which “…had never made such sounds…” in spite of the fact “…this piano is badly in need of a tuning”. This extract is full of irony tone which describes the negative attitude towards Black’s at that time – Father’s consideration “a nuisance”, prevailing word combination “colored man” or “Negro”, Father’s irritation and abrupt questions – we can feel the negative atmosphere of this Avenue, of this Old World. But when he left a bouquet of expensive flowers which had to have cost him “a pretty penny” – the Mother decided to give him chance. The Father and the Mother – the representatives of the Old America – were disposed against him firstly. In the complication of this extract we found out that Coalhouse beginning with that Sunday appeared every weak “…always knocking at the back door…”. When she refused to meet Coalhose he left the house but not for a long time. īecause in turn-of-the-century America black people had no rights and even more so had no right to “…presume to come in the door” in spite of standing “…at the back door…” – such behave of a Negro got Mother’s dander up. Interestingly though, Christianity and Humanism did not necessarily lead into philosophical conflicts wherein one would remain while the other weakened. Everything in that scene of arrival – beginning at his car “…a new model T-Ford”, his “gloved hand”, dressed “in the affection of wealth” and ending at the manner of his behavior (“…resolute…self-important in the way he asked…”) – shows us how earth-shatteringly and improperly the “black man” conducted himself.ġ page, 492 words The Essay on Humanism and Christian Belief: Change in the 15th CenturyĬonsidering that humanism is a movement wherein a focus upon the capabilities of humanity has fueled a myriad of changes in society, it would be rather expectable for one to assume that such a movement was in direct conflict with Christian belief. In the exposition of this extract the author describes the scene when Coalhouse Walker arrived at Broadview Avenue – a district where rich and “white” people lived. Because Coalhouse conducts himself with a sense of pride atypical of African Americans at this point in history, his expectations of how he should be treated repeatedly come into direct conflict with others’ expectations of how African Americans should be treated.Ĭoalhouse Walker, then, represents all African Americans who challenge the expectations many whites have of them. Many characters react strongly to his mannerisms, as they believe his social position does not warrant such behavior. His characterization provides insight into race relations in (начало времени) turn-of-the-century America. He has incredible import to the main themes of the novel. The plot of this extract revolves around Coalhouse Walker, the black musician from Harlem. This novel is narrated in the third person and the tone of this extract is ironic, rhetorical. Some characters welcome and accept change, while other reject and struggle with it. He conveys the effects of these changes through the reactions of the characters. Ragtime is centered around several very different people, from rich to poor. Doctorow addresses several major social changes in turn-of-the-century America in his novel Ragtime. ![]() ![]() Doctorow is about the race relations in turn-of-the-century America and reflects many of the changes the nation faced at that time. This novel written by the well-known novelist named E.
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