Social Distincton in "Ragtime"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that E. L. Doctorow, in "Ragtime," brings to light the fact that social distinctions and prejudice have always permeated American society. The author points out that, early in the novel, Doctorow writes that New Yorkers despised the immigrants because they were "filthy and illiterate". The paper relates that, through the characters of Evelyn, Emma, Tateh, and Coalhouse, the lives of many were shaped by their heritage, where they were born, or how much money they had, conditions that have an impact on almost every aspect of life, as these characters illustrate.

From the Paper:

"Emma is a revolutionary character that causes Evelyn to think about her life. Emma is more concerned about making a difference than she is being subtle or nice. She tells Evelyn she was nothing more than a "clever prostitute" who was a "creature of capitalism" (49). Evelyn does not discard what Emma tells her but instead listens and eventually becomes a liberated woman. With Emma's character, we can understand the difficulty women faced during this era in American history. Because these two very different women are able to relate to each other, we can better relate to them. Emma makes it a point to tell Evelyn that they are not as different as she believes."

More papers on Social Distincton in "Ragtime":

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• Analytical Essay # 67689 : "Emma and Evelyn in "Ragtime"
• Analytical Essay # 59421 : "The Occult in "Ragtime"

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