Ragtime Chapter 24 Summary

  • The visit to the car fills Younger Brother with rage. He's on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and despises his complacent life in New Rochelle with Mother and Father.
  • Coalhouse decides to pursue a lawsuit against the Emerald Isle Engine Company, but cannot find an attorney to represent him, even with Father's help. He tries to represent himself, to no avail. He signs a complaint at City Hall and is laughed at.
  • We're told Coalhouse's name will come to symbolize murder and arson. Father and Younger Brother argue about Coalhouse and his stubbornness.
  • Sarah tells Younger Brother that Coalhouse will not marry her until his car is returned exactly as it was.