The beginning chapters of Ragtime contain graphic and heart wrenching descriptions of Tateh’s life as an immigrant. Brutal descriptions of poverty, human suffering, and abuse provides a starting ground for him and his daughters ascendance to the higher ranks of the American status.
Ragtime uses many individual storylines as allegories for larger societal and class dynamic issues of the 1920s. Tateh’s ‘rags to riches’ plotline is no exception. However, besides the usual idea of finding his talent and place in the world, Tateh’s storyline provides a crucial message about how to find success in the American capitalist system.
When Tateh boards the train and runs off from the striking and violence occurring at his workplace, he says that even if they won the strike his wage would only increase by 2 cents. His escape into a different town and making money using his own talents and initiative is therefore tied with the idea of leaving the rest of the working class behind. His success story is singularly focused on him rising from the poverty of the immigrants, and not uplifting the immigrant class as a whole.
This idea is crucially embedded in Tateh’s story, and could serve as an allegory for the class dynamics of the time. That is, American success stories always center on the success of one individual, but never on the uplifting of an entire abused class. Doctorow might be trying to depict that despite Tateh’s individual success, the larger class issues and capitalist exploitation is still occurring.
I agree with you that Tateh is the low-class, immigrant embodiment of the American Dream. Doctorow's commentary on America's capitalist society is evident within Tateh's story, as you mention how "the larger class issues and capitalist exploitation" still occur to this day.
ReplyDeleteTateh's journey characterized by a rags to riches narratives fits within most American success stories. Generally, the plot is focused on the individual success rather than dealing with systemic inequalities. While Tateh shows the reader the potential of success through hard work and a tough beginning, it leaves out the broader aspect of society and the challenges that come with it.
ReplyDeleteHi Taehan,
ReplyDeleteNice post and interesting points. I agree that Tateh embodies the American Dream, but Doctorow also illustrates the struggles and sacrifices Tateh must make to achieve this. An interesting contrast with Tateh would be the character of Coalhouse Walker, as he has a sort of "riches to rags" storyline with a quest for justice.
-Bruce
I agree with your observation that Tateh's success is very specific to his individual. I think that Doctorow is attempting to highlight the individualistic nature of capitalist societies, where only a few lucky individuals can climb the socio-economic ladder to surmount the rifts of poverty. Tateh's actions after becoming wealthy adhere to this narrative, as he attempts to erase his old identity (Jewish, socialist) and become a new individual of self-determination.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of rising from the poverty of immigrants and leaving the working class behind rather than uplifting it as a community is very interesting to me. I feel that I have seen this concept in media I've read/watched for other classes, even in pieces that took place decades later. Perhaps it is representative of greater American structural issues and how they persist even at the time Doctorow was writing this book.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting perspective! When you mentioned that American success stories in the 1920s come from individual hard work, not from group effort, it almost makes us reflect on the here and now. Does this mentality differ from the present? But you could also ask the question: does this mentality differ in the 1980s(when this book was written)? Overall a lot of good ideas at work, nice job!
ReplyDeleteI also found the part about the battle of the working class very interesting. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it yet, but Doctorow clearly shows how futile the battle is. Even if they "win", wages will increase slightly and then they still are stuck in the same situation. Tateh "separated" himself from the struggle of the working class, and immediately saw huge changes in his life outlook, finding a place where he could sell his art for good money. It feels like Doctorow is saying that the working class is inherently unsuccessful (not that the people of the working class lack potential, but that its impossible for someone who is IN the working class to succeed and live the American Dream, because the company is sucking them dry).
ReplyDeleteI think this post is a good exploration of Tateh's development throughout the story. Especially how his socialist views and the Baron's American dream nature are in direct conflict. It's very interesting to see his political beliefs, personality, and fortunes evolve over the course of the novel. It may also be interesting to see how the discussion of socialism and capitalism plays into the New Left movement that established itself right before the publication of this novel.
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