Goldman and Coalhouse
In chapter 28 of Ragtime, Coalhouse Walker Jr. begins to become militant in his action. He states that he wants the Fire Chief turned over to his Justice and his Model T returned to him in its original condition. As a diversion, someone decides to pull the fire alarm on the opposite side of town while a large fire is started on the other side. In class, we discussed how this could have happened. While it is likely that Mother's Younger Brother played a part in this fire, I don't think that he could have done it alone. As stated in the early chapters of the book, Younger Brother was still "finding himself."
This is the type of situation that would have enraged Emma Goldman, which has seemingly dropped from relevance in the novel at this point. Seeing that Coalhouse has also not been seen directly following these violent threats, Younger Brother must have connected Coalhouse with Emma Goldman "offscreen". Given the number of people Goldman leads and the devotion they have to her, Goldman and Coalhouse likely worked together to form a plan. Coalhouse himself likely did not perform the deed, rather someone looking similar to him. It would be too risky to put him on the frontline because he is the face of these revolutionary ideas and Goldman would not want to lose him because a drop in morale would likely occur. With these things being organized, the events of the book unfurled.
So yes, Mother's Younger brother did take part in Coalhouse's violence, but more indirectly than stated in class.
Woah interesting theory. While I'm still a little hesitant about the possibility of Emma Goldman and Coalhouse, their methods to get what they want are very simliar as they are very willing to use violence. However, I think it is much more likely that Younger Brother, who has learned revolutionary ideas and tactics from Emma Goldman, has taught Coalhouse about Emma Goldman's strategy. What I am curious about is: how did Coalhouse recruit others to his cause? I think that Sarah's death really drove Coalhouse over the edge and I wonder what injustices did his gang suffer during their lives.
ReplyDeleteDoctorow never reveals whether Goldman was involved or not, but you're right to associate tactical political violence with some of her ideas. And at the conclusion of the Coalhouse ordeal (which you hadn't read yet when you wrote this), she does give him her blessing, although she denies having any direct role--"Mr. Morgan has done some appropriating of his own."
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