Ragtime

ACTIVITY
"Who are We?": Writing the American Dream

The characters in Ragtime introduce themselves in the third person as we meet them. Known as Illeism, this rhetorical device makes your statement more objective and freer from a particular self-bias. This process can support a healthier self-image that is less critical and more compassionate.

Writing Activity: Using examples from the script, write a third-person introduction of yourself and your version of the American Dream.

  • What are three essential things the audience should know when they meet you?  
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  • Can you think of a dream, aspiration, hope, or idea of your future to include in your statement? What is your version of the American Dream that could be added?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Examples from Ragtime:

MOTHER: “The house on the hill in New Rochelle was Mother's domain. She took pleasure in making it comfortable for the men of her family and often told herself how fortunate she was to be so protected and provided for by her husband.”

COALHOUSE: “In Harlem, men and women of color forgot their troubles and danced and reveled to the music of Coalhouse Walker Jr. This was a music that was theirs and no one else’s.”

TATEH: “In Latvia, a man dreamed of a new life for his little girl. It would be a long journey, a terrible one. He would not lose her, as he had her mother. His name was Tateh. He never spoke of his wife. The little girl was all he had now. Together, they would escape.”

HOUDINI: “Harry Houdini was one immigrant who made an art of escape. He was a headliner in the top vaudeville circuits, and he made his mother proud.  But for all his achievements, he knew he was only an illusionist. He wanted to believe there was more.”

 

Performance Extension: Using the third-person introduction above, create a mini musical introduction about your life.  

  • Determine Set & Costume: Visual components, including set and costume design, tell us a lot about the story. Decide what your set and costume will be.
  • Choose Music: All of the third-person introductions we hear in Ragtime are spoken over music; we call this music underscoring. Think about what kind of musical underscoring would best help the audience understand your Introduction. 
  • Try It Out: Experiment with putting your Musical Intro on its feet! Share it with a friend, in front of a group, or record it!