RAGTIME
Author: E. L. Doctorow
Summary
Character Analysis
(Father) has an emotional state that resembles an immigrant. His social and economic status remain irrelevant, he appears lost at many times and he as well never attains a profound self-knowledge. Father also represents the traditional norm of the late nineteenth century in America.
(Mother's Young Brother) is a young, idealistic man with little direction in life. He feels as if he has a purpose in life when he joins Coalhouse's group of revolutionaries.
(Coalhouse Walker) , black musician, provides insight to race relations in the turn of America. He represents all African Americans who challenge the expectations many whites have of them. His character soon becomes the angry black male as he begins to be violent to resolve his feelings toward society.