Mother
The introduction of Ragtime presents the reader with a family that the book apparently centers around. They are portrayed as almost boring, run-of-the-mill, literally nameless; they are essentially the ‘average American family’. However, very quickly we learn that this family has some quirks that separate them from the average family. Naturally, Father is a purveyor of patriotic products and a part of Peary’s polar passage ( 😂 ). To Mother, Father is a virtuous, diligent man, but her view on him changes when he embarks on his voyage (more on this later). There is also Mother’s Younger Brother, who is quite the character (that I will not be delving into). And finally, the Mother. Prior to Father’s departure to the North Pole, she is the stereotypical housewife. She respects Father, who she sees as a hardworking caring man, and she seems to be content, but nothing more. All of this changes in a very drastic way, however. Mother’s life takes a radical turn when she finds a live baby buri...