Ragtime Emma Goldman Encapsulates the Term Paper

Both Emma and Evelyn embody the transformations occurring in American society that Doctorow depicts in his novel. Emma represents the radical transformation of women from objects of sexual lust to empowered individuals, while Evelyn represents the continued stereotyping of women by American culture. In her apartment, Emma symbolically removes Evelyn's restrictive clothing, garments that serve as symbols of women's oppression and of their being controlled by the desires of men. The debased appearance of Mother's Younger Brother from behind the curtains further emphasizes the twisted sexuality that stems from distorted views of women in society.Forman might have selected to remove her from the script because Emma serves a largely symbolic role in Doctorow's novel. Nevertheless, Emma's presence in the film version of Ragtime is missed because she perfectly embodies the genuine political struggle for social justice in America.

Works Cited

Doctorow, E.L. Ragtime. New York: Penguin, 1997.

Forman, Milos (dir.). Ragtime. 1981 Film based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow......