As we’ve read Ragtime, I’ve
grown particularly interested in Doctorow’s depiction of the rich, specifically
as seen through J. P. Morgan. I think that Doctorow’s evident distaste and mocking
of the rich is intriguing, and I wanted to do some research into Morgan, his
money, and his personality.
Doctorow comments on
Morgan’s lack of a rags to riches, “American” story, ironically pointing out
that he was born into no small amount of money. In fact, Morgan attributed his
success in life “more than anything to the endorsement of [his] father’s friends.”
This is something I actually dislike about the classic Horatio Alger story. In
the situation where Morgan’s parents were successful and did make money, why should
it make their child any less worthy to make money, hold money, and grow an
empire that extends past the borders of countries? Especially in a situation
where Morgan recognizes his background, unlike the well-used example of Donald
Trump, there should be no reason to shame somebody from coming from a wealthy
background, as they have no say in their bearing.
In addition, Doctorow seems
to portray Morgan as ‘unamerican.’ He talks about how Morgan has bailed the government
out of debt and seems to portray Morgan as somebody who is a citizen of only his
money, basically ruling the world. Morgan has seemingly surpassed America, and
now seems himself as a reincarnated Pharaoh. Doctorow portrays Morgan in a
harsh light, making him seem self-absorbed and petty, but I find myself
sympathizing with the character in some ways. When he is dining with the other
rich men, and finds them very trite and annoying, it could perhaps be because
he is looking in the wrong places for companionship. Perhaps Morgan is being
bound by the very wealth that has freed him from all restraints, and due to his
inability to interact with the lower classes such as Evelyn Nesbit does with Tateh,
he cannot find the people with whom he deems to be on his level. I think that
although Doctorow makes Morgan into an undesirable character, he has his
redeemable qualities.
This is a really insightful blog post. The last paragraph in particular where you say that he just looks for companionship is a really good idea. I think where he dines with other rich people but finds them annoying is really trustworthy evidence for your claim.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post and I'm glad I read it. Before I never really sympathized with Morgan and always viewed him as a more humorous character, but your points about him not having a choice of his background and being lonely make me thing differently!
ReplyDeleteThough I agree with your general point, I am also inclined to agree with Doctorow in some ways. I agree that Morgan has every right to make make money and build his fortune, especially since it is aknowledged that he did it through his own hard work and not just through his fathers fortune, though that must have helped a lot. On the other hand, I think Doctorows first description of him, with the trail of people behind him cleaning up after him is likely accurate, and I think his decadence is what Doctorow finds so appalling. It’s his unwillingness to interact with people who aren’t as rich as him that confines him, as if his wealth somehow makes him a better human than them. So perhaps he is pitiable, but in my view that is only because of his ignorance of his ability to look around him and find valuable companionship in the people surrounding him and cleaning up his messes.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about Morgan in this light before. I think as readers it is easy to follow and agree with Doctorow, as his irony is persuasive and we already recognize the idea of privilege as a tool for exploitation. Therefore, it is just as easy for us to assume that a historical character was really a person with emotions and thoughts, like us, and the idea of "nature vs nurture" plays a huge role in social placement. Like you said, Morgan probably didn't know any different and was looking for companionship in the wrong people, or couldn't find himself in other groups of people. Poor guy.
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