During the beginning of the 20^th century, opulent Americans victimized immigrants. Since most of the new race groups arriving in the United States were non-English speakers, the high class exploited them to enhance America’s economy. In E.L. Doctorow’s novel, Ragtime, Doctorow describes the history of the harsh treatment of many Europeans living in America. As an example of a victim, Doctorow utilizes his character, Mameh, a Jewish mother and knee pants sewer who tolerates her male employer manipulating her. Doctorow also exposes the wealthy in general to depict their control over the immigrants. E.L. Doctorow delineates the significant gap between destitute foreigners and luxurious white Americans in society. Americans contradict themselves by discriminating against the newcomers, yet using them for their proper benefit.

Around the late 1800’s, the upper class often humiliated the lower class, but discreetly. Doctorow’s narration portrays prosperous homeowners residing in New York and Chicago conducting poverty balls. Although the royal events are for charitable purposes, the aristocrats mock the immigrant’s circumstances. Instead of the high class aiding the poor, the impoverished immigrants continue to face indirect insults. The white Americans degrade the immigrants’ position by mimicking the indigent lifestyle.

At the end of the 19^th century, American employers controlled the mental and physical states of their factory workers. Throughout Doctorow’s novel, Mameh allows her boss to handle her body so she can receive a higher income from him. Mameh’s employer takes advantage of Mameh because of her academic ignorance and financial disadvantage. Mameh does not refuse her boss’s sexual advances because she needs the extra money for her family’s sustainment living in the United States. The white employer victimizes Mameh because of her low social reputation.

E.L. Doctorow reveals the topic of affluent leaders dominating impecunious sufferers in his novel. Despite the arrogant elite’s view of the noncitizens as outsiders, extravagant whites still govern the immigrants for their own profit. Doctorow teaches his readers that although a country may seem to be full of opportunities and freedom, the assumptions can be deceiving. Unfortunately there are cruel superiors in the world who subjugate individuals with in dire need. And sadly the needy human beings have to pay a price to obtain liberty and happiness from the merciless oppressors of the nation.