Blog 11 – Dialogue between Ragtime and In the Lake of the Woods

The writing style of Ragtime and In the Lake of Woods are totally different, especially about the dialogue.

In the Lake of Woods, author uses more direct and short dialogue between charaters.For instance,

“You know, maybe I’m way off,” she’d say, “but I get this creepy feeling. Like you’re always there. Always worming around inside me.”

John would smile this candidate’s smile.”Very true. Not worming, though. Snaking.”

“You didn’t go out today?”

“Out where?”

“I don’t know know where. It just seemed –”

Personally, it is a very natural and daily dialogue. Very straightforward and short. It helps readers follow the story thread more clearly.

On the other hand, the dialogue in Ragtime is much longer and fewer. For example,

In front of the sergeant’s desk at police headquarters on Centre Street, she made a statement to reporters as she was booked for conspiracy. I am sorry for the firemen in Westchester. I wish they had not been killed. But the Negro was tormented into action, so I understand, by the cruel death of this fiancee, an innocent young woman. As an anarchist, I applaud his appropriation of the Morgan property. Mr. Morgan has done some appropriating of his own. At this the reporters shouted questions. Is he a follower of yours, Emma? Do you know him? Did you have anything to do with this? Goldman smiled and shook her head. The oppressor is wealth, my friends. Wealth is the oppressor. Coalhouse Walker did not need Red Emma to learn that. He needed only to suffer.

Without any quotation mark, Doctorow switched the speakers succeefully. I feel one of the distinguishing characteristics is this kind of dialogue is more close to narration. Unlike the former one, it feel more rational and narrative.