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10. Why do you think that the author chose the quotation by Scott Joplin as the
novel‘s epigraph? What does it signify? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

9. Many of the characters struggle for what they believe is right. Are they
successful? How are these struggles tied in to the notion of identity or
societal definitions of identity? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

8. The notion of value is prominent in the book. What do each of the characters
value? What consequences does this have for them? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

7. Why do you think that Mother and Tateh end up together? What draws them
together? How would this relationship have been viewed in the early 1900s?
How would it be viewed today? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

6. Does Coalhouse Walker, Jr. obtain justice? What does he sacrifice in the
process? How do his actions affect those around him? How does this scenario
relate to the justice system and civil rights struggles in today‘s society? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

5. When Evelyn Nesbit meets The Little Girl in the Pinafore, she is tied with
rope to her father‘s wrist so she won‘t be stolen. How does the author make
connections between Evelyn, The Little Girl, and Mameh? Why is Evelyn
drawn to Tateh and The Little Girl? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

4. While the characters represent different classes and races, they share much in
common. Discuss some of these commonalities. How are the characters different? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

3. The quest for freedom and peace is a key theme of Ragtime. How does the
author use Harry Houdini to illuminate the complexity of this quest? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

2. Why did the author choose the title Ragtime for this novel? ~adapted from Reading Guide

The Library of Congress has a nice description of ragtime music. Link in the comments!

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead