Other real historical characters in the novel include J.P. Harry Houdini repeatedly appears in the narrative interacting with the characters and tying many details together. These acts are a major turn in the novel. After failing by peaceful means to get compensation, Coalhouse turns to violence, declaring that he will not stop until his Model T is repaired. Sarah gets killed by the police who mistake her hysterical attempt to petition for justice as a threat. Walker's Model T is vandalized by members of the local fire department. This is causes resentment by some racist whites, upset at seeing a Negro owning the middle-class status symbol of an automobile, and makes Coalhouse the target of hostility. The third family is an African-American couple, Coalhouse Walker and Sarah, who is the mother of his newborn boy and is supported by Mother from the New Rochelle family. Tateh is a strong advocate of the radical left, involved in the local Artist Socialist Group, and while opposed to Emma Goldman's anarchism, he finds solidarity with it.

The second family is composed of the Jewish immigrants Tateh, Mameh, and Little Girl, who struggle to survive. Although it is not explicitly stated in the narrative, many readers get the impression that the unidentified narrator of the book is the family's little boy, recalling the events of his childhood in his old age. Brother gets mixed up with Coalhouse Walker's retaliation attempt (described in more detail below) due to his expertise in explosives. He takes part in the expedition that discovers the North Pole, but only joins the expedition for a fraction of the sledge journey. Father is represented as a character stuck in the past, but keen to make his mark in history. flags and fireworks for displays of American patriotism. Father and Brother are involved in producing U.S.

They make up a white American upper middle class family that lives in New Rochelle, New York. The first group consists of 'Father', 'Mother', 'Mothers Younger Brother', 'Grandfather', and a young boy. The narrative tells of the interlinking lives of three groups of people.

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