Doctorow's Use of Irony in Ragtime
In Ragtime, Doctorow’s consistent use of irony serves as a tool for social commentary, specifically emphasizing the disparities between the rich/successful and those who work for them. While characters like Peary and Henry Ford are celebrated and glorified for their successes, the marginalized individuals who are the backbone of their success are exploited and unacknowledged. When Father accompanies Peary on his expedition, Doctorow displays the ironic nature of Peary’s so-called “discovery” of the North Pole. Before they leave New York, Peary had asserted that “he and he alone was to discover the Pole” (Doctorow 76). While Peary may get the credit and accolades for his “discovery,” it is undoubtedly false that he discovered the Pole on his own. In truth, Peary is entirely dependent on the labor of others. Mathew Henson and the Esquimos do Peary’s dirty work, carrying the sledges, cooking the food, and building igloos, while Peary merely trails behind and gets the glory. Doc...