Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. Specifically, Term Paper

She is just one symbol in the novel that represents how the American family would change during this time, and would never be the same. Impressionable young men like Younger Brother would take up radical causes, Father's would fail to move forward in their lives, and Mother's would begin to vocally fight against societal wrongs, including poverty and women's rights. America was in transition, the family was in transition, and even industry was in transition. It was a time of great expansion in the country, and only those who could grow with the changing society would be successful. Henry Ford knew how to change, and J.P. Morgan did not. That is why Ford succeeded, and Morgan died still looking for something more in his life. There are many symbols in this novel, but they all relate somehow to the great changes taking place in society, and many Americans' inability to accept and move along with these changes. Doctorow's use of two different families who become one symbolizes how America once saw itself as "white," but was becoming increasingly integrated with blacks, immigrants, and migrants. The world was changing, and people had to learn how to keep up or be forever left behind.

Doctorow's work is quite interesting, although much of the history presented in this odd novel is a bit over the top. He weaves in real-life characters in larger than life situations, and uses this method to show just how amazing this time in American history was. His style is certainly different, and one thing the reader notices immediately is that none of the characters, except the real-life figures sprinkled through the book, have real names.They all have generic names that could apply to anyone of the time, and Doctorow does that for a reason, he wants them to represent the stereotypical immigrant and middle class families of the time. It is a compelling look into a time in American history that was like no other. Things were moving so quickly, that people like Father, rooted in his Victorian past, simply could not keep up, while people like Mother adapted quickly and changed their views. They had more open minds, and allowed society to change and grow into the Progressive Era and far beyond.

In conclusion, this novel was fun to read, if a little convoluted and unbelievable at times. It certainly did bring the Progressive Era to life, and showed the changes that gripped America as the 20th century began. It also showed how those changes ultimately affected the world, from the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and World War I, to exploration, discovery, technological development, and the glimmer of change in working and living conditions for the poor, and better relations between the races. The book was enjoyable to read, and in some parts read more like a fantasy than a historical novel. It was interesting, and gave greater insight into the struggle many people had making the shift from strict Victorian ideals to the more progressive period that came right after the turn of the century.

References

Doctorow, E.L. Ragtime. New York: Plume,….....