Ragtime | Study Guide

E. L. Doctorow

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

ragtime-e-l-doctorowSources: Chicago Tribune, Encyclopaedia Britannica, History.com, IMDb,New York Times, NPR, Oscars.org, TonyAwards.com, Vanity FairCopyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.Narrator, Chapter 40 he era of Ragtime had run out, with the heavy breath of the machine, as if history were no more than a tune on a player piano.Ragtimeby the NumbersYear Ragtime became the first recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award Oscar nominations for the 1981 film version of Ragtimestarring James Cagney and Elizabeth McGovernTony Award nominations the Broadway musical version of the novel received in 1998Tateh’s age at the beginning of the novel, even though he is described as an old man328121975Doctorow is best known for his sweeping novels that combinefact with fiction, creating epic American histories of everything from the Civil War to politician Donald Rumsfeld. Ragtime is perhaps his most famous, having been adapted into a Tony-winning Broadway musical. The story, which explores race relations, repression, and industrialization,is an American classic.E.L. DOCTOROW1931–2015AuthorMotifsRagtimeby the NumbersYear Ragtime won the first National Book Critics Circle Award Oscar nominations for the 1981 film version of Ragtimestarring James Cagney and Elizabeth McGovernTony Award nominations the Broadway musical version of the novel received in 1998Tateh’s age at the beginning of the novel, even though he is described as an old man328121975TechnologyIndustrialization increasedthe population in big citiesbut devalued individualism.EscapeThe novel is filled with literal escapes from imprisonmentand emotional escapes fromsociety’s expectations.ThemesChangeSome characters thrive while others struggle as America changes rapidly over the course of the novel.BelongingThe characters’ lives weave together as each searches for love that could give their lives meaning.RepressionAmerica in the early 1900s was filled with social and class cruelties that held many characters back.MotherCompassionate yet dissatisfied womanFatherPatriotic businessman; seeks adventureMother’sYounger BrotherLonely young man; finds meaning in political protest Little Boy& Little GirlSymbolize hopefor the futureTatehJewish immigrant;reinvents himselfand finds successSarahInnocent, moralyoung woman pushedto desperation Evelyn NesbitBeautiful model;symbol of sexualityCoalhouse WalkerMilitant civil rights fighter Set in New York City in the early 20th century, Ragtime takes a historical look at the intertwining stories of three families—rich and white; Jewish immigrants; and pre-Civil Rights Movement black—as they search for belonging in a changing America. Their differing viewpoints highlight differences and similarities in the American experience.A Patchworkof AmericanLivesMAIN CHARACTERSLoversMarriedHelpsE.L. Doctorow1975EnglishNovel AuthorYear PublishedOriginal LanguageBook descriptorRagtimeDrama
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