Ragtime": The Theme & Mood Term Paper

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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 stand against the firemen. Walker becomes an angry, militant activist, feeling, perhaps rightly so, that in 20th century America, no one will treat a Black man with respect. However, the presence of the gentler but still strong Sarah underlines that not every Black American agrees with Walker, as does the presence of prominent, historical Black Americans like Booker T. Washington.

The prejudices of the legal system and society make an ironic contrast between the fact that Black music gives the musical its name and its score (although there are some Jewish folk songs to speak for the culture of Tateh).

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But in contrast to Coalhouse Walker, Jr., other immigrant groups are able to make good on the American dream. Tateh becomes a film director, for example, and the Jewish Harry Houdini also makes good in the entertainment industry. But for all of the talent and the 'need' for Black art, Blacks themselves are marginalized.

The fact that the musical is making an argument about American society is underlined by the presence of many real historical figures in the musical. The joy of the music captures the early optimism of the 20th century and the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as Walker's optimism that he can transcend race, optimism that is cruelly destroyed -- while the old songs of Jewish immigrant culture are transformed and commercialized into cinematic art.

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