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TL;DR: In New Rochelle, New York, at the start of the twentieth century, a well-off white family, a Jewish immigrant artist and his daughter, and a proud Black ragtime pianist named Coalhouse Walker Jr. have their lives intertwined with famous figures like Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan and Emma Goldman. When Coalhouse is humiliated by racists, his fight for justice turns violent.
Table of Contents
Ragtime at a Glance
| Author | E.L. Doctorow |
| First published | 1975 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want an inventive historical novel about America |
Ragtime is a novel by E.L. Doctorow, published in 1975. It mixes real historical figures with fictional characters to capture America from 1902 to 1917. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes racist violence, murder and terrorism.
Main Characters
- Coalhouse Walker Jr.: A dignified Black ragtime pianist.
- Mother: A white woman from New Rochelle who grows independent.
- Father: Mother's husband, a fireworks manufacturer and explorer.
- Tateh: A Jewish immigrant artist who becomes a filmmaker.
- Younger Brother: Mother's restless brother.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The family
In 1902, an unnamed family lives comfortably in New Rochelle. Father leaves to join an Arctic expedition. Mother finds a Black baby buried in the garden and takes in the baby and his mother, Sarah.
Coalhouse
The baby's father, Coalhouse Walker Jr., a successful ragtime pianist, courts Sarah. He drives a new Model T. One day, racist volunteer firemen block his car and destroy it. Coalhouse seeks justice through the law, but is ignored.
Sarah's death
Sarah tries to plead for Coalhouse with a vice-presidential candidate, but is mistaken for an attacker and beaten to death. Coalhouse turns to violence, bombing fire stations and killing firemen. He demands his car be restored.
The Morgan Library
Coalhouse and his followers, including Younger Brother, take over J.P. Morgan's library and threaten to blow it up. Booker T. Washington tries to negotiate. Coalhouse surrenders after his demands are met, and is shot dead by police. His followers escape.
Tateh
Tateh, a poor immigrant artist, rises from poverty by making early animated “movie books” and becomes a successful filmmaker, pretending to be a baron. After Father dies on the Lusitania, Mother marries Tateh, and they move to California, where Tateh creates a film series about children of different races.
5 Key Takeaways
- The American Dream was not equally available to all.
- Injustice can push people toward violence.
- History is made by both famous and ordinary people.
- Identity can be reinvented in America.
- Social change brings conflict and opportunity.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Dignity denied can turn into rage.
- Progress and prejudice existed side by side.
- Art can rise from poverty.
Who Should Read Ragtime?
Read Ragtime if you enjoy historical fiction and inventive storytelling. It suits older teens and adults.
About E.L. Doctorow
E.L. Doctorow was an American novelist born in New York City in 1931, who died in 2015. He was known for historical novels that blend real events and invented characters, including Billy Bathgate, The Book of Daniel and The March. Ragtime won the first National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction and was later adapted into a film and a Tony Award-winning musical.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Ragtime:
- Why does Coalhouse turn to violence?
- What does Tateh's success say about America?
- Why does Doctorow mix real and fictional people?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Ragtime is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Ragtime, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is vivid, fast and unique, and its blend of real and fictional characters is fascinating.
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What to Read Next
- Billy Bathgate by E.L. Doctorow: a boy in a gangster's world
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: dreams and class in America
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: Black identity in America
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ragtime about?
The lives of three families intertwine with real historical figures in early-1900s America.
Who wrote Ragtime?
E.L. Doctorow, in 1975.
Who is Coalhouse Walker Jr.?
A Black pianist who seeks justice after racists destroy his car.
Which real people appear?
Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford and others.
Is there a musical?
Yes, a Tony Award-winning 1998 musical.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 1981 film.
What age is it for?
Older teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 320 pages.
What is ragtime?
A style of syncopated piano music popular around 1900.
What happens to Coalhouse?
He is shot dead after surrendering.
Who are the main characters in Ragtime?
The main characters are Coalhouse Walker Jr., Mother, Father, Tateh and Younger Brother. Coalhouse Walker Jr.: A dignified Black ragtime pianist. Mother: A white woman from New Rochelle who grows independent. Father: Mother's husband, a fireworks manufacturer and explorer.
Is Ragtime worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want an inventive historical novel about America. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.