Tateh and Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime
In Ragtime , Tateh and Coalhouse Walker stand apart from the other characters in the book. One reason for this is that they are the only characters who, although fictional, act as historical figures within the bounds of the book. As a result, they bridge the gap between history and fiction by interacting both with the fictional family and with the real historical figures. Additionally, Tateh and Coalhouse Walker are far less stationary than the other characters. By creating snapshots of the historical characters at specific instances in their lives, Doctorow preserves them in that moment and gives them a static aspect. Doctorow’s narrative on J.P. Morgan, for example, focuses on his obsession with the idea of reincarnation, rather than his ascent to extreme wealth (Doctorow 150). However, Tateh and Coalhouse Walker’s characters undergo change over the course of the book. Doctorow emphasizes the shift in their circumstances and motivations, lending their stories a sense of authenti...