Deterioration of the American Dream

In Part one of Ragtime, the novel possesses the wholesome theme of America enabling growth which is portrayed by following the likes of Houdini, JP Morgan, and Henry Ford and how they became successful through hard work and perseverance. Because Doctorow supports this sentiment so thoroughly, it is interesting and heartbreaking to watch Coalhouse Walker lose the "white picket fence" he built. Coalhouse is set up as a character that is respectful and has earned a lifestyle unusual for a black man of this time, a fact he is understandably proud of and so are readers. Never had he stooped to violence to further his cause, including the initial destruction of his car. However, after the loss of his car, transportation to a job he presumably loves, and the mother of his child whom he had spent ages winning over the American Dream could not be further away.  Losing everything he finds important  wears Coalhouse down enough to stoop to the level his harassers do, which is the ultimate downfall of everything he stands for.

Doctorow not romanticizing Coalhouse's actions like he does with other characters creates a more down to earth point about how their are no exceptions to racism or classicism. As Coalhouse seeks legal assistance he is refused because of his ethnicity and the way he carried himself (which is indicative of a member of the upper class.) The way Doctorow writes about Coalhouse's inability to get help describes the pit that the lower class population often get stuck in, invalidating the American dream.