Ragtime

Ragtime Summary | Part 1, Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

Ragtime is the story of two families living in America in the early days of the twentieth century, amid the influx of immigrants and social changes that altered the complexion of the country both positively and negatively. The story begins in New Rochelle, New York, in the home of an affluent family. The head of the family is a man who owns a company that produces flags, patriotic bunting and fireworks. The family lives in a world of delicacy where nothing as unpleasant as problems with immigrants or Negroes ever existed.

The head of the household is referred to simply as Father. His wife is known as Mother, and their child is the Little Boy. Mother's brother and father also live in the house, and they are referred to as Mother's Younger Brother and Grandfather respectively. Mother's Younger Brother likes to keep his own company and spends much time riding the streetcar to the end of the line. This takes him to marshy fields where he walks and ruminates. Most of Mother's Younger Brother's thoughts are about Miss Evelyn Nesbit, a model and actress now even more popular for the notoriety surrounding a recent murder trial. Evelyn's husband, Harry K. Thaw, killed Evelyn's lover, the famous architect Stanford White.

On this particular Sunday afternoon, Mother and Father are closed up in their bedroom. Grandfather is napping, and Mother's Younger Brother is on one of his routine walks at the end of the line. Little Boy ponders his need for excitement and wishes for a life like that of Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist. As luck would have it, a car crash in front of the house wakens the napping household, and they discover none other than the famous Mr. Houdini is the car's passenger.

Houdini accepts the family's hospitality, while his car cools off enough to travel again. During the conversation, Father reveals his imminent trip to the North Pole with Admiral Robert Peary. Houdini is intrigued at the thought of such an expedition, but he must leave to continue on his way. As Houdini bids goodbye to the family, Little Boy tells the famous artist to "Warn the Duke."

Father leaves for his North Pole expedition the next morning, and the entire family bids him farewell at the train station. Father and the rest of the expedition party members are sent off from New York harbor the next morning amid much media activity, and spirits are high. As the party's ship moves further into the Atlantic, Father cannot help but notice a rag ship bearing more immigrants into America. The jovial spirits of the day are dashed for Father, as he stares at a million eyes staring back at him. Father cannot help but notice that the sky has darkened, and the wind is stirring. In spite of his darkened mood, Father cannot help but think of his increased business opportunities, since immigrants all buy American flags.