1. Ragtime written by: E.L. Doctorow
Presentation by:
Quinton Campbell

2. The Setting of the Novel
Doctorow’s novel of historical fiction is mainly set in New York City from early 1900 until the United States entered into World War 1 in 1917.

3. Ragtime was first published in
Date of Publication
Ragtime was first published in
1975

4. Historical Figures in the novel
Harry Houdini
J.P. Morgan
Henry Ford
Emma Goldman
Stanford White
Harry K. Thaw
Evelyn Nesbit
Booker T. Washington

5. The novel opens in the year 1902, in the town of New Rochelle, New York, at the house of an upper class family made up of Mother, Father, and the little boy. Mother's younger brother falls in love with the famous Evelyn Nesbit. Her husband, Harry Thaw, has recently been charged with the murder of her ex- husband, Stanford White. Harry Houdini's car breaks in front of the family's house, and he pays them a visit.

6. An immigrant family, consisting of Mameh, Tateh, and the little girl, live in the Lower East Side in utter poverty. Evelyn Nesbit visits the Lower East Side, where she becomes intrigued with Tateh's daughter, and soon her visits become regular. The little girl becomes ill, and Evelyn cares for her. Mother's Younger Brother begins to follow Evelyn everywhere without her knowledge.

9. Other Productions
Ragtime has been adapted for a 1981 movie and a 1998 musical.

10. Publisher