Abstract
The paper relates that E.L. Doctorow's "Ragtime" is distinguished by characters who not only have personal traits, but who also possess symbolic meaning; in the case of "father," in chapters 21-26, this is acutely evident. The paper relates that most of all, Father is a man who is fearful of change; he likes continuity because he likes stability and is unsettled when things become different. The paper explains that when Coalhouse Walker shows up at the family residence requesting to see Sarah and keeps returning - all the while betraying an air of confidence that almost borders on defiant arrogance - father is discombobulated somewhat; this is a black man, Father apparently thinks, who does not know his place. The paper posits that since the difficulty of accepting change is one of the themes of the book, Father's actions towards Coalhouse are quite significant. Additionally, the apper notes that another theme in the text is the idea of struggling for stability; Father is a man who values peaceful change or no change at all, and therefore, he finds Coalhouse's defiance when confronted by the racism of whites to be disquieting; Coalhouse, it seems, is a man who might threaten stability and angrily challenge the status quo.

From the Paper
"E.L. Doctorow's "Ragtime" is distinguished by characters who not only have personal traits, but who also possess symbolic meaning; in the case of "father," in chapters 21-26, this is acutely evident. Most of all, Father is a man who is fearful of change; he likes continuity because he likes stability and is unsettled when things become different. Thus, when Coalhouse Walker shows up at the family residence requesting to see Sarah and keeps returning - all the while betraying an air of confidence that almost borders on defiant arrogance - father is discombobulated somewhat; this is a black man, Father apparently thinks, who does not know his..."

Tags:look, ragtime, doctorow

Abstract
This paper explains that E. L. Doctorow's novel "Ragtime" captures the essence of prejudice and racism, which permeated American thought and society during the turn of the 20th century, a period of great change and expansion. The author points out that, through the characters of Evelyn, Emma, Coalhouse and Willie, Doctorow emphasizes the depth of prejudice and how it influenced society. The paper relates that this novel raises social awareness as it illuminates the struggles that exist when people of different nationalities and beliefs come together; with recognition of these social ills comes the responsibility to correct them, a challenge that has its own price.

From the Paper
"An example of social distinction can be seen in Coalhouse Walker. Coalhouse experiences racism when a group of firemen vandalize his brand new Ford. When Coalhouse seeks redress, he is encouraged not to make a fuss about the incident and when he does fuss, he is promptly arrested. In addition, when Father tries to help in some way, he is told, "When you a property owner in this city walks into court with a Negro, a charge like this is usually dismissed" (210). Here we see how a certain attitude toward African Americans is difficult to overcome, despite circumstances."

Tags:immigrants, african-americans, feminine, death, resolution

From the Paper
"One of the dominant themes in the novel Ragtime is the idea of entrapment. The author E. L. Doctorow uses images such as the child buried in the garden, the immigrants buried in the ghetto tenement housing, and the Houdini story to communicate this theme. By using these images of entrapment, Doctorow illustrates how people become completely trapped in lives and events that are not necessarily of their making. Ragtime illustrates that even in America, the land of the free, almost everyone is somehow buried in social situations or financial conditions that keep entrapped in their particular circumstances."

Tags:america, immigrant, entrapment, life, modern, existential

Abstract
This paper explains that E. L. Doctorow's "Ragtime", which has an ethnic tone, presents a highly visible black man, proud protagonist Coalhouse Walker, who throws the white American world into mass confusion and forces black American's entry into white America. The author relates that Coalhouse Walker calls himself President of a Provisional American Government, which suggests that the old order of government has failed and thus, as the founders of America once revolted against an unjust government; he, too, has the right to demand a better government. The paper concludes that the assassination of Coalhouse Walker was similar to other assassinations of black people, who suffer under the ignorance and tyranny of a government, which would not address the needs of the black people.

From the Paper
"The inventor of ragtime music, for which Doctorow titled his book, was the Black American Scott Joplin. Scott Joplin admonished not to play the music too fast and this offers the novel's epigraph and the principal character of the books last half is Coalhouse Walker. Coalhouse Walker play's Joplin's music. The title clearly asserts it focus in the activities of the Black Americans and more widely in those of marginalized social groups outside the established male and WASP hegemony, the working class Jewish immigrants like Tateh and Harry Houdini, political radicals such as Emma Goldman and budding feminists like Mother. Doctorow's Coalhouse Walker is the black proto-revolutionary. Doctorow emphasis of the dissatisfaction of people such as these contrasts what historians wrote about this era that they called "The Progressive Era"."

Tags:music, president, white, protagonist, assassination

Abstract
The paper describes how in "Ragtime", E.L. Doctorow paints an arresting picture of America at the dawn of the twentieth century; in so doing, he captures some of the complexity and tension that typified United States society one hundred years ago. Over the next few pages, this paper describes how Doctorow describes this America and what he perceives to be its strengths and weaknesses; the paper also looks at characters which seem to speak to the broader aspects of American society that Doctorow is interested in.

From the Paper
"In 'Ragtime", E.L. Doctorow paints an arresting picture of America at the dawn of the twentieth century; in so doing, he captures some of the complexity and tension that typified United States society one hundred years ago. Over the next few pages, this paper will describe how Doctorow describes this America and what he perceives to be its strengths and weaknesses; the paper will also look at characters which seem to speak to the broader aspects of American society that Doctorow is interested in. If one were to describe the America that Doctorow presents to us, it would be most appropriate to state that Doctorow was a firm believer in America..."

Tags:doctorow, america, ragtime

Abstract
This paper looks at how Doctorow depicts the American underclass, such as immigrants, in the beginning of the 20th century in America, and how he uses language to achieve this depiction. The paper explores the theme in "Ragtime" of being buried or trapped to show how Doctorow achieves this effect.

From the Paper
"But in E. L. Doctorow's novel Ragtime , he shows the reader that this utopian notion of the "good old days" of turn-of-the-century America is a misconception. In this novel, the reader sees how immigrants, ethnic groups, women, and the working class were victimized by the rich and powerful forces in American society, and by the apathy of those who turned their heads away from the misery and loathsome conditions of the underprivileged. One of the themes that Doctorow explores is that of his characters being trapped or buried in their circumstances. He uses metaphors and symbols to show both the physical and the sociological oppression that the people of that era suffered by personifying these themes through the medium of his characters. "

Tags:immigrant, underclass, America

From the Paper
"This study will examine the theme of oppression in E.L. Doctorow's satirical novel Ragtime, and the suggestion that art is one way to transcend such oppression. The book is, in fact, a compendium of the economic, racial, sexual, social, political, artistic and spiritual oppression of Americans and immigrants to America in the early years of the twentieth century. Most of the characters, historical, invented, or a combination of both, are not aware of the oppression which shapes and misshapes their lives. Whether victims or victimizers, most of Doctorow's characters move through their lives oblivious as sleepers to the dismal reality in which they dwell. The American culture as pictured by Doctorow is a thoroughly oppressive realm where only artists seem to have any idea what is going on, what is wrong, and what can be done to escape that wrong if not to make it.."

Abstract
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."

Tags:prejudice, characters, immigrants, money, impact

Abstract
"Ragtime" by E.L. Doctorow presents a cast of characters caught up in a frenzied life of liberating themselves from oppression ranging from poverty to the discontent of the soul. By exploring the recurring themes of liberation and oppression in the novel, the paper shows that in fact, the liberation from one state of being only leads to another prison; true liberation seems to beckon as a chimera. Ultimately, what Doctorow depicts powerfully is that oppression affects all humanity, whether he or she is poor or rich, black or white.

From the Paper
"The most dramatic example of oppression is illustrated in the episodes involving the racial oppression of Coalhouse Walker. He represented the fundamental injustices committed against African-Americans in the story. Although he was rich, educated and well-cultivated, the color of his skin did not free him for being harassed by Conklin, the Fire Chief (Doctorow 131-133; 145-150). From a superficial perspective, Walker's reaction over his car seemed unduly exaggerated. However, the unnecessary tampering with his car symbolized the unjust oppression of African-Americans. In a reversal of positions, Walker and his followers played the role of oppressors by terrorizing the city with bombing attacks (Doctorow 186-187). It is a tragedy that his "liberation" from being an oppressed person could only take place in such spectacular circumstances, that inevitably resulted in his own death."

Tags:Houdini, Younger, Brother, Tateh

Abstract
E.L. Doctorow has always been a writer who juxtaposes fictional events with historical ones. "The Book of Daniel" is no exception. While the character of Daniel is fictional, the events depicted--a thinly disguised version of the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg trial, the communist scare fanned by Senator McCarthy, the Viet Nam War--are all rooted in history. Daniel's journey then is both historical and personal, ricocheting between the past and the present as he attempts to find meaning in the events of his own life and those of his culture. "The Book of Daniel" is like its Biblical counterpart, part lamentation and part exhortation. History is a catalogue of a "time of trouble" in which some figures of the past will awake to 'everlasting contempt' while others turn to righteousness. Daniel struggles with both, an inherited past and an uncertain future. In the end, however, he finds his way.