She is just one symbol in the novel that represents how the American family would change during this time, and would never be the same. Impressionable young men like Younger Brother would take up radical causes, Father's would fail to move forward in their lives, and Mother's would begin to vocally fight against societal wrongs, including poverty and women's rights. America was in transition, the family was in transition, and even industry was in transition. It was a time of great expansion in the country, and only those who could grow with the changing society would be successful. Henry Ford knew how to change, and J.P. Morgan did not. That is why Ford succeeded, and Morgan died still looking for something more in his life. There are many symbols in this novel, but they all relate somehow to the great changes taking place in society, and many Americans' inability to accept and move along with these changes. Doctorow's use of two different families who become one symbolizes how America once saw itself as "white," but was becoming increasingly integrated with blacks, immigrants, and migrants. The world was changing, and people had to learn how to keep up or be forever left behind. Doctorow's work is quite interesting, although much of the history presented in this odd novel is a bit over the top. He weaves in real-life characters in larger than life situations, and uses this method to show just how amazing this time in American history was. His style is certainly different, and one thing the reader notices immediately is that none...
They all have generic names that could apply to anyone of the time, and Doctorow does that for a reason, he wants them to represent the stereotypical immigrant and middle class families of the time. It is a compelling look into a time in American history that was like no other. Things were moving so quickly, that people like Father, rooted in his Victorian past, simply could not keep up, while people like Mother adapted quickly and changed their views. They had more open minds, and allowed society to change and grow into the Progressive Era and far beyond.
Both Emma and Evelyn embody the transformations occurring in American society that Doctorow depicts in his novel. Emma represents the radical transformation of women from objects of sexual lust to empowered individuals, while Evelyn represents the continued stereotyping of women by American culture. In her apartment, Emma symbolically removes Evelyn's restrictive clothing, garments that serve as symbols of women's oppression and of their being controlled by the desires of
They are sympathetic to Walker because of their fondness for Sarah, a young Black washerwoman who is Coalhouse's lover. The iconic WASP family is called only by their family identities, because unlike Walker and the Jewish Tateh, they do not need to make a name for themselves -- their place in the world is secure. But even with the help of a prominent family, no one will take a
individuals have struggle accepting change. It takes quite some time for one to adapt to this. For regions of a country or even whole nations, change may take decades or possibly centuries. Edgar Lawrence Doctorow can certainly relate to this Born in 1931, Doctorow (aptly named after EL Poe) has lived through tumultuous changes and grew to see America converging from one of exclusive races and racism into one that
Blues and Ragtime: Paving the Way for Jazz Blues and ragtime helped to pave the way for jazz, one of America's truly unique music genres. Originating in the South, these genres were inspired by the African backgrounds of slaves coupled with the oppression that freed men and women faced after their emancipation. New Orleans became a musical hotbed during the jazz era. It was also during the development and popularization of
127) The ultimate test of interchangeable parts in a factory system are if the ideas can 'make it' in the marketplace of commerce. The ultimate test of what is really beneficial to workers or society is subsumed to the need to make a profit. 7.It occurred to Father one day that.... he was a Negro (p.134) Despite the fact that identity might seem like something one is given at birth, the ways that
Negro Spirituals and the Development of Blues, Ragtime and Jazz Music The melodies and rhythms of Africa have found their way to America through many ways and the African-American spirituals are one of them. There is one religious folk song, originally sung by the African-American protestants of the southern United States is now known as the spirituals. These pieces of music originated during the period of 1800 to 1850. It was
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