Ragtime
In E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime, we learn the story and struggles of distinct genders, classes, races and ethnicities during the turn of the last century. Two such members of these different backgrounds are Tateh and Coalhouse. The first man is a Jewish immigrant who transforms himself from a poverty stricken, frightened newcomer to Baron Ashenazy, a wealthy, flamboyant Americanized filmmaker. The second man is an educated, well-dressed black musician who comes to be known as an enraged lunatic because of his organized violent raids against the more powerful white class. Together, these men are a prime example of how American society - its demands, prejudices and opportunities - can change a man's mentality. In this essay, I will contrast the difficulties faced by Tateh and Coalhouse in establishing their roles as fathers as they relate to gender, class, race and ethnicity.At the beginning of twentieth century, it is the role of the man to provide for his family. He must contribute a steady income, safety, and maybe for the first time in history, love of his wife and children. Throughout our story, we find that Tateh's and Coalhouse's sole purpose in life seems to be to take care of their families. Because Tateh is a single pa
rent, he must bring his daughter to work with him each and every day. For safety purposes, he wears a clothesline attached to his daughter's wrist "so that the girl is not stolen from him" (37). This is done because it is a common occurrence for young girls of the immigrant slums to be stolen from their parents and sold into slavery. Black haired, brown eyed and olive skinned, Tateh's daughter is the only thing he has to represent himself. She is simply his only source of joy. As time continues, and his wealth increases, Tateh moves his daughter out of the slums and provides her with ample food, gorgeous clothing and a hope for the future. Coalhouse responds by simply suggesting that maybe they are both "servants of our color who insist on the truth of our manhood and the respect it demands" (238). Maybe Coalhouse realizes that he will lose his son for what he is doing, but he feels he is making advancements for his son's future. Coalhouse becomes removed from his fatherly duties when he chooses to attack the men who he feels are responsible for his Sarah's death. She is not killed because of her race, but for defending her fiance's race. Coalhouse feels that if the fire chief, Willie Conklin had not destroyed his Model-T, Sarah would still be alive. But what Coalhouse does not understand is that "in his dress and as the owner of a car he was a provocation to many white people," (145). Had Coalhouse just turned around when he was asked to, he would have not suffered such great losses. But unlike Tateh, Coalhouse refuses to be oppressed by any race or class. He instead demands immediate action-action that certainly costs him his role as a father, not to mention his own life. The more Coalhouse strikes against white men, the worse he and his son are thought of. Thus, we find that while Tateh moves up the social ladder, Coalhouse falls off of it. Class and race presents both Tateh an
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Approximate Word count = 1294
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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