One argument we recently brought up in our class discussion on themes throughout Doctorow's Ragtime, is the idea of reinventing one's self. I found this topic really interesting because in the very end of the novel, we see so many of the characters overcome some sort of drastic change as opposed to how Doctorow portrays them in the beginning.
One major turing point where we see a significant change in many of the character's, is the aftermath of when Coalhouse seeks revenge on the fireman volunteers and sets fire to the firehouse. While some may argue Coalhouse's character completely changes from this incident, I feel it only supports how much Coalhouse remains the same. Before the incident, we see Coalhouse come across as very respectable in his appearance, well put together in his presentation, and persistant in the way he courts Sarah. Yet after he carries out his revenge plot, he still comes across in a very put together manner. He still dresses very respectable and has his followers appear the same. In addition, the way he carries out his revenge plot is extremely well thought out and organized, and he is very persistent in making sure justice is served to those who deserve it. One of the main characters who is arguably impacted most significantly by Coalhouse's revenge scheme, is Mother's Younger Brother.
Though Coalhouse himself stays true to his character, Mother's Younger brother can especially be seen as someone who completely re-invents himself from Coalhouse's influence. In the beginning of the novel, Doctorow depicts Mother's Younger Brother as pretty foolish and hard to take seriously, however eventually we find out he is really lost and searching to find himself. Once his path is intertwined with Coalhouse, we see Mother's Younger Brother start to look up to him as the sort of role model he needed to find his purpose. After joining Coalhouse's crew, we see Mother's Younger Brother change not only in attitude, but in his appearance as well. He starts to dress in the same respectable fashions as Coalhouse, and even goes as far as to dress in black face to show his true allegiance. By risking his life to help Coalhouse seek justice, by the end of the novel Mother's Younger Brother re-invents himself into a character that is taken a lot more seriously, and with a lot more respect for his actions.
Mother's Younger Brother is an interesting character since Doctorow's treatment of him somewhat changes over the course of the novel. I can see your point on how he re-invents his self, but I think that he himself is not the only factor that plays a role in self re-inventing. Mother's Younger Brother seems to need a role model like figure who he can attach himself to and re-invent himself around (like Emma or Coalhouse.) Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis of Coalhouse, we definitely think he changes because he goes from being polite and proper to bombing and killing, but he stays true to his ideals (even if it's in a drastically different way). I also agree with Mariam, Doctorow makes Younger Brother a character who needs a role model or someone to follow, so he changes a lot throughout the novel, certainly more than Coalhouse.
ReplyDeleteMother's Younger Brother spends quite a bit of the novel trying to find himself, attaching himself to characters like Evelyn Nesbit and Coalhouse Walker along the way. In his relationships with these other characters, Mother's Younger Brother absorbs quite a bit of their personalities, and acts like he wants to be like them, especially in the case of Coalhouse, who is practically his idol.
ReplyDeleteYes. The question is, is this shift from "idolizing" a figure like Evelyn Nesbit to Coalhouse Walker a good thing for Younger Brother? Is this just one more obsession, or has he "found himself" as he recreates himself as a black revolutionary? Do we see this as YB finally getting "serious" and committing himself to a cause larger than himself and his own gratification? Evelyn and Coalhouse might both be objects of fantasy for him, but is Doctorow suggesting that the latter fantasy is better, more "real"?
DeleteI agree that Younger Brother is probably the character in Ragtime that changes the most over the course of the novel. He goes from a rather inconsequential stalker of Evelyn Nesbit to Nesbit's lover to a lost, heartbroken man to a violent revolutionary. As you point out, this is a much greater change than we see in Coalhouse, who merely transitions from a respectable musician to a respectable (although violent) revolutionary.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point, although Coalhouse's goals change (from marrying Sarah to carrying out his revenge plot), he approaches both in a similar manner. In our class we talked a bit about how Younger Brother seems to latch onto whoever is his latest obsession.
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