Ragtime - Ford and Morgan
What’s up with Morgan and Ford? Almost all of the historical figures in Doctorow’s ragtime are portrayed as symbolisms. Though they no doubt once held influence, we need to keep in mind how Doctorow brings these historical characters in for the sole purpose of the book. On that note, what would Henry Ford symbolize? I think most of us see how Ford is the embodiment of this technological growth. Though Ford is treated with tons of irony in chapter 18, when Doctorow describes the creation of the Model T with the assembly line with such, almost exaggerated, importance, how “an identical car appeared at the top of the ramp, stood for a moment pointed at the cold early morning sun,” it feels serious. Interestingly, this majestic description is one of the few times in the chapter I feel is authentic. In this sense, Ford is treated with irony yet his assembly line idea is something that Doctorow actually admires. While I agree that Coalhouse is the main catalyst for the central plotline...