The Acceptance of Change
Ragtime takes place near the beginning of the Progressive Era, causing change to be a big part of the novel. Some characters accept change like Mother, while others like Father refuse to accept it. The premise of this book is social change in which characters have to adapt to a changing world in 19th century America . Racial barriers, gender roles, and immigration are some of the major themes that change through the course of the book, and how each character welcomes it varies. Mother is ready to accept the change in the world. Before Father’s absence from the household, she was accepting of gender roles and “being in her place”. When Father leaves for his trip to the Arctic, she is required to modify her life in order to complete Father’s responsibilities and her own at home. Mother feels incompetent to complete Father’s duties. “It was an historic moment for the business and neither Father nor Younger Brother was on hand. She fled to the garden for solace” (Doctorow, 67). Witho...