Ragtime Ch. 9-17

Homework:

Finish reading Ragtime for Friday

Tues. Read to pg. 195 (at least)

Wed. We will be getting PSAT scores

Thurs. Read to pg. 257 (at least)

Friday  You will view more of the film

Ch. 9 and 10

1) 1. There is a real sense by this time that Mother suspects there is something seriously wrong with Younger Brother. She has been more of a mother to him than a sister because he was born when his parents were up in age. Grandfather was never much of a father to Younger Brother. With all that in mind and the way Mother finds Younger Brother's room, build on your impression of this character.

2. The focal point of the novel comes with the discovery of the baby in the garden. The chapter calls for a lot of speculation on the part of the reader. Discuss how well Doctorow uses this to build interest in the novel. Mother is a large blond woman; the baby is black. What is the message there? The mother is hiding nearby. She seems bland and maybe not too bright. Think of reasons she may have buried the baby. How does Doctorow rule out disgrace as a motive for burying the baby? What does Mother do that she would not have done if Father had been there?

 Ch. 9 and 10

1) 1. Beneath the surface of chapter 9, there is a powerful insight into the character of Father. In a way, he is almost a tragic figure. He struggles with his attitudes trying to be a good man at the same time. Discuss how Perry's attitude toward the Esquimos reflects some deep seated feelings in Father. Analyze his conflicting feelings toward Henson. In the discussion, remember what is waiting for him when he returns to New Rochelle.

2. Discuss the pecking order on the Perry expedition. What are the symbols of elitism in the character of Admiral Perry? Racism gets redirected in the cold Arctic environment when fitness for survival takes precedence over race. Explain how that happens. Finally, do you see any symbolism in the photograph where the faces are black ovals surrounded by white caribou?

Ch. 11 and 12

1) 1. Evelyn rehearses her lines and makes the obligatory appearances with the Thaw family. Nevertheless, even knowing that Thaw's mother is having her watched, she starts an affair with Younger Brother. Discuss the nature of the affair. What description of the affair does Doctorow use to show that it is doomed to failure. Is there any indication that Younger Brother knows the end is coming? In the early 1900s, $25,000 was a great deal of money. Discuss why Evelyn gives it all away and what that says about her maturity and the influence of Emma Goldman.

2. Younger Brother might be looked at as a Born Loser. What is the predictable effect the breakup will have on him? Doctorow says that Evelyn loves Younger Brother, but what is missing? Would he ever be able to give her what she needed? Does he have a clue?ribou?

 Ch. 13 and 14

1) 1. First, identify the physical changes in Father after a year in the Arctic. Symbolically, is he still the same large, self-assured man he was before? What part of Father's change is attributable to the hardships of the expedition and his guilt at having bedded an Esquimo woman? Aside from the addition of Sarah and the baby, what change does Father see in Mother? What is the psychological implication of Mother's having managed the business in his absence?

2. Look at the two scenes of Father and The Boy evaluating themselves in the mirror. One is seeing deterioration and perhaps a darkness of the soul from the guilt he bears. The other is seeing the changes of maturation and a new strength. Discuss in depth the meaning of each mirror inspection. What do you think of Doctorow's use of these similar actions?

Ch. 16 and 17

1) 1. Doctorow uses the textile workers strike in Lawrence as the expression of the real beginnings of the labor movement in America. Discuss the violence connected with the strike which was typical for many years all across America as the Labor movement grew. Ironically, it is the violence in Lawrence that brings the strike to the attention of the nation. Why do people offer to take in the strikers' children? What is the mood of the nation regarding the labor movement?

2. Three important things affect Tateh and The Girl: (1) They have more time together and he makes flip books for her amusement. Those books when flipped by the thumb make the images appear to be moving; (2) The Girl gets to go out of the one-room flat a sort of metaphor of her growing up; (3) Tateh begins to question his existence working for six dollars a day. Discuss the implications of each of the above.