JP Morgan and Egypt

      In Ragtime, J.P. Morgan is incorporated into the novel to address the theme of class as well as the theme of “Capitalism vs Anarchism.” E.L. Doctorow states that J.P. Morgan was “at the top of the business pyramid.”(137)

As well as foreshadowing his obsession with Egypt, Doctorow continues to show the reader just how much wealthier and more sophisticated Morgan was than the rest of his peers, “he was the monarch of the invisible, transnational kingdom capital whose sovereignty was everywhere granted.” His only fault was the “ironic skin disease that had colonized his nose.”

E.L. Doctorow used Morgan to signify the goods and evils of capitalism, just as he used Berkman and Goldman exemplified the goods and evils of anarchism. Morgan is a true capitalist. While Morgan “controlled 741 directorships in 112 corporations” Goldman traveled in exile and preached anarchism to anyone who would listen.

Despite his prosperity and wealth, Morgan could not find happiness. He needed something to stimulate his brilliant mind. And when he started to become more and more interested in ancient Egypt, he simply threw some money together and single handedly funded one of the most expensive expeditions of all time. When he heard the theory of “colony from the gods who are regularly born in every generation to assist mankind” he thought that he was the god of his generation. And this is what drove him to spend so much of his time and energy exploring and excavating ancient Egyptian ruins.

After excessive research, I have found little more information on his adventure to Egypt than that he, “wore a big sun helmet, a flannel suit and tan shoes.” (J.P. MORGAN

DUC DUG…) The lack of historical evidence of his discoveries, although disappointing, is parallel to the text.Doctorow makes it clear that Morgan found nothing in his excavation of Egypt, and died before returning to the United States, seemingly due to lack of motivation to live.

By Tabor Edwards

J. P. MORGAN SAILS; IS GOING TO EGYPT New York Times (ref: #6048, accessed 10th May 2011 06:53:20 PM)
URL : http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/j-p-morgan-sails-for-egypt.html

J. P. MORGAN DUG INTO EGYPT'S PAST New York Times (ref: #6116, accessed 10th May 2011 06:34:18 PM)
URL : http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/j-p-morgan-dug-into-egypt-past.html

Beao. JohnPierpontMorgan. N.d. wikipedia . Web. 16 May 2011.
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Wepman, Dennis. "Morgan, J. P." In Hoogenboom, Ari, and Gary B. Nash, eds. Encyclopedia of American History: The Development of the Industrial United States, 1870 to 1899, Revised Edition (Volume VI). New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2010. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/