![]() ![]() Mother’s disdain for Father is conveyed to the reader when he tells her that he will be taking their boy to the Baseball game on the following day. Whereas in the beginning of the novel Mother and Father’s relationship was good, by the end of the novel “He felt it had been stupid to leave his wife alone”(p 233). Their marriage is happy as long as they continue to have a good physical relationship. Doctorow writes, “On Sunday afternoon, after dinner, Father and Mother went upstairs and closed the bedroom door”(p 4). The first reference to this is at the very beginning of the novel. After their relationship has been analyzed, one can see that the relationship between Mother and Father is one that seems to be held together purely by sexual desire. ![]() While these scenes definitely imply sexual activity, they are definitely not as intense as the erotic scenes between other characters. The sexual activity that is most relevant to the story line occurs in the relationship between Father and Mother. The sexual activity between Father and Mother is used to define their relationship, sexual activity by Younger Brother is used as a replacement for violence, and the one scene between Houdini and Thaw is used to elucidate the difference between the classes. Some are more obvious and explicit than others, but they all have great purpose. There are three main groups within which the sexual activity takes place: Father and Mother, Younger Brother and Evelyn Nesbit, and Harry Houdini and Harry K. While an obvious reason for these is the titillating effects of them, there are deeper, more relevant reasons for them. She taught in public schools and for a community college in the New York City area.Throughout the novel, there are instances of both violent and more refined sexual references. Perhaps taking Ragtime into schools and colleges and using it as a teaching tool for race relations will certainly help the next generation understand that it is time to change – the future depends on respect and tolerance for all people, and liberty and justice are meaningless words unless we can live them.Įvelyn Uddin-khan moved to Salisbury in 2018 after living in the New York City area for most of her life. A little bit of tolerance for each other would be a good beginning. It is a sad commentary on we the people that we cannot live in peace, with liberty and justice for all. In fact, after 400 years we have not changed much. It is sad to think that after 120 years we have not changed at all. It was true in 1975, it was true in 1902 and it is true in 2022. It was a poignant reminder that “the more things change, the more they remain the same”.ĭoctorow wrote this story in 1975. It is a step in the right direction, but a long way to go.Īnyone who thinks Ragtime was a happy evening out missed the point of the story. John’s Lutheran Church hosted “The Talk by Sonny Kelly.” They were both excellent programs with the same goal in mind. The Presbyterian Church hosted “Race: The Power of an Illusion” and St. Right here in Salisbury the churches and several local organizations have organized many programs to help race relation step off on a better footing. Racism is still the norm and not the exception in America. So, what has changed in the last 120 years? Nothing really. It was the same in 1902.Īnd police brutality? The statistics show that Blacks and minorities are at the mercy of the people in law enforcement and they rarely win. Today, the Halls of Congress and every State House in America are filled with corrupt politicians whose only interest is to stay in power and fill their pockets. However, let’s not forget that 40% of American Jews have changed their names. Jews are still the misfits, except with 100 years of struggle they can buy a house anywhere they choose. Immigrants are still arriving and are still the unwanted - except if they are white Europeans.Ĭlass distinction is not a myth. They are still struggling to get “there.” With few exceptions – athletes and entertainers – the majority of Black Americans are still living in poverty, tenements and slums. ![]()
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