Historical Context: Primary Sources for Ragtime Lesley Nagle
JOB SEEKERS RIOT, STORM FORD PLANT
This newspaper article is about Henry Ford's $10,000,000 profit-sharing plan, including the eight-hour work day and a minimum wage of $5 a day that went into effect on January 12, 1913 at the Ford Motor Company. Ragtime takes place during the Progressive Era when new technological advancements were enabling increased efficiency and mass production such as the invention of Ford's assembly line This historical event is important to the text and occurs on pages 111-113, because although Ford was able to provide jobs for many immigrant workers, Doctorow does not necessarily view this as a good thing. He criticizes this advancement in technology and its ability to undermine human capabilities and individualistic values when he says that this system of production allows for not only "the parts of the finished product be interchangeable, but that the men who build the products be themselves interchangeable parts" (Doctorow 113).
This historical event is important to us because it highlights an important theme in Ragtime, that shows how Doctorow was very skeptical of the impact of technology on human life and culture. It brings up a great question for class discussion and debate: "Is productivity and efficiency worth the negative effects that it has on the human worker?" This can spark a lot of interest in students' opinions and contribute to the conversation of social activism for injustices.
This historical event is important to us because it highlights an important theme in Ragtime, that shows how Doctorow was very skeptical of the impact of technology on human life and culture. It brings up a great question for class discussion and debate: "Is productivity and efficiency worth the negative effects that it has on the human worker?" This can spark a lot of interest in students' opinions and contribute to the conversation of social activism for injustices.
ASSASSINATION OF FERDINAND
This historical event is the assassination of Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. This event is described in detail on pages 264-265 of the novel Ragtime. This event is important to the text for a number of reasons, specifically according to the theme of change. First of all it is the spark that will start World War I. This means that Father's firework factory will have new priorities, such as following Mother's Younger Brother's plans to produce various types of bombs and grenades that will be used in the war. Harry Houdini is also greatly affected by the news of the Archduke's assassination and cannot seem to get the event off of his mind, even during his performances.
This historical event is important to us because it will shed a new light on what are the now accepted qualities that determine someone as truly American. Originally fireworks and flags were for parades and such events to show the country's patriotism and pride for simply being American. Now it seems the country may be taking a turn towards viewing violence against other countries as patriotic. It may also mean that Americans will be even more harsh towards immigrant workers, because of the new conflict that will occur over seas.
This historical event is important to us because it will shed a new light on what are the now accepted qualities that determine someone as truly American. Originally fireworks and flags were for parades and such events to show the country's patriotism and pride for simply being American. Now it seems the country may be taking a turn towards viewing violence against other countries as patriotic. It may also mean that Americans will be even more harsh towards immigrant workers, because of the new conflict that will occur over seas.
HARRY HOUDINI--A Mama's Boy Who Made Good
This historical event is the publicly known obsession that Harry Houdini has with his mother. This event is seen at its greatest when Houdini is mourning his mother and grieving at her grave. This event occurs on pages 165-167 of the novel, Ragtime. This historical moment is significant to the text because it highlights the important themes of imprisonment and a false sense of freedom that are apparent throughout the novel. Although Houdini has the ability to magically escape from any enclosed area, he cannot escape his emotional thoughts and his constant longing and desire for his mother. Houdini is able to astound the minds of many, yet he achieves no satisfaction from his own magical feats because his thoughts are overwhelmed by his emotional prison.
To us, this historical event is just one of the many examples of the theme of imprisonment throughout the novel, Ragtime. Houdini is not the only character forced to suffer with this feeling of lack of freedom. For example Evelyn Nesbit is physically imprisoned because of the way she is sexualized in the novel, always using her body to gain attention and status. Additionally Tateh feels imprisoned in his jobs as a peddler and a silhouette artist so he escapes the city with his daughter and flees to Lawrence, Massachusetts.
To us, this historical event is just one of the many examples of the theme of imprisonment throughout the novel, Ragtime. Houdini is not the only character forced to suffer with this feeling of lack of freedom. For example Evelyn Nesbit is physically imprisoned because of the way she is sexualized in the novel, always using her body to gain attention and status. Additionally Tateh feels imprisoned in his jobs as a peddler and a silhouette artist so he escapes the city with his daughter and flees to Lawrence, Massachusetts.
References
- "Assassination of Ferdinand." The Washington Post (1877-1922): 6. Jun 29 1914. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 17 Dec. 2012
- MITCHELL, LISA. "Harry Houdini--a Mama's Boy Who made Good." Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File): 2. Nov 07 1976. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Los Angeles Times (1881-1989). Web. 18 Dec. 2012 .
- Special to The New,York Times. "Job Seekers Riot, Storm Ford Plant." New York Times (1857-1922): 2. Jan 13 1914. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2009) with Index (1851-1993). Web. 17 Dec. 2012 .