J.P. Morgan and Ragtime Essay - 1244 Words

John Pierpont Morgan: The turn of the century in American, when E.L. Doctorow’s novel Ragtime is set, was a time marked by rapid technological developments and industrialization. These years also brought a heavy flood of immigrants as well as an increasingly urban American landscape. Technological advancements enabled increased efficiency and mass production. However, Doctorow clearly brings into question the consequences of this new technology for the average American worker. J.P. Morgans discussion with Henry Ford about the assembly line’s innovations brings this debate to the front. Doctorow writes, quot;From these principles Ford established the final proposition of the theory of industrial manufacture - not only that the parts of†¦show more content†¦Junius Morgan wrote to the company asking for a position for his son and advertising the fact that his son had many admirable qualities for a worker. Although, J.P. Morgan was denied a promotion when his father requested one, he di d receive a promotion in the firm later in his career. In 1860, Morgan left Duncan, Sherman and founded J. P. Morgan and Company to act as an agent for his fathers business. When Junius Morgan died in 1890, J.P. became head of the London house. Pierpont now was able to control all the dealing between the New York based firm and their oversees partner. Pierpont was now at the head of houses in New York, Philadelphia, London, and Paris. He was the commanding figure in international finance. In 1869, a war over railroads began, including Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, both famous financiers. Gould already had dominant control over the Erie railroad and began to buy up stock in the Albany amp; Susquehanna Railroad. Morgan developed into the nations railroad reorganizer. In 1886, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was in great difficulty with a deficit of six million dollars a year. Morgan was brought in to slash the value of the watered stock, reduce interest rates on the bonds, and assess the shareholders for more money. 1888, J.P. Morgan was again called on to reorganize railroads in the east. He reorganized the Chesapeake amp; Ohio and the Baltimore amp; Ohio. He often encountered some resistanceShow MoreRelatedIntertextuality In Ragtime1466 Words   |  6 Pagesreferences, It use can be implemented to reflect a period of history. Thi s study aims to reveal and present the intertextual relations that Ragtime presents to America’s history during the early 20th century. The aim of this segment will be to show the use of intertextuality to reveal Doctorow’s intention in citing historical characters and events history within Ragtime, juxtaposing them with the fictitious world of the story. First and foremost, Ragtime’s intertextual material and connections are placedRead MoreBrian Stokes Mitchell987 Words   |  4 Pagesmilitary bases overseas. As a teenager he lived in San Diego, California where he began acting in school musicals. He has been married to actress Allyson Tucker since 1994 and has a son named Ellington. Mitchell has been in many shows some of them were Ragtime, Kiss Me, Kate, Carnival! He has also had a number of television appearances. He was in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Frasier, The Prince of Egypt, and guest starred in Ugly Betty. He is also known for doing voice-overs in animation. On June 5, 2005Read MoreThe Question Of Identity2144 Words   |  9 PagesLina Kim Professor Crumpler Commerce and Culture October 1st, 2014 Ragtime: The Question of Identity in Society Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow emphasizes the difference between identity and status in and outside of society by using the characters’ pursuit of self within the novel. Coalhouse Walker is the main representation of how a character’s identity is indefinitely shaped by his choices and can lead to various consequences. As Coalhouse’s personality subtly changes into a new persona, the reader slowly