Earlier in class we discussed Doctorow's development of Evelyn Nesbit, specifically in the context of her newfound interest in charity. The class had mixed reactions. Some thought that this shed light on (or created) a more complex and caring side of a historical figure who was more or less seen as shallow and amoral in her time. Others found her fascination with Tateh's daughter to be based in novelty, invasive, and even pedophilic. I definitely believe that Nesbit has at least some noble intentions behind caring for the girl, and her willingness to stay anonymous and uncelebrated is admirable. In addition to this, in a novel that frequently uses characters to make sociopolitical commentary, I felt that Doctorow was trying to initiate a discussion of the nature of charity and its corruption in some cases.
Nesbit is not supporting a broad group of poor people in her visits to the slums. Instead, she is visiting and becoming a patron of a specific family. Pushing any possible predatory motivations aside, one must consider the motivations behind her charity specifically. Why does one choose to support an individual instead of a larger group? Some might say that it establishes a base of human respect and dignity between both parties, but it is perhaps also a result of the upper-class philanthropist's dissatisfaction at not being able to witness firsthand the results of their donation. The quite substantial donations that Nesbit does make are to anarchist newspapers, not a despicable cause by any means, but most would find these to be less pressing in the grand scheme of things. Would it not be more honorable for her to sincerely donate large sums of money to the poor as a whole? I don't think there's a concrete answer to this question, but I was very intrigued by Doctorow's construction of this plot arc surrounding Evelyn Nesbit and the Tateh family.
This is a very interesting topic to explore! I liked that you presented both sides of her possible intentions and are open to either possibility. When eighth hour discussed this topic, I was under the impression Evelyn's charity was more of a novelty, but your point of her becoming a patron of a specific family, without being celebrated for it, is certainly admirable. Something interesting, however, is that if she wanted to establish a base of human respect and dignity between both parties, it would only be appropriate for her to tell the Little Girl and Tateh her name. But maybe by not revealing her name, she is focusing the attention on them? Hmm... I thought I had a clear opinion on this, but there really isn't a concrete answer to this question at all.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up some interesting points, especially in your question of why Evelyn doesn't continue helping the Jewish slums. She could have settled in with a new family (as weird as that sounds), or, like you mentioned, donated money to these areas. But, fairly early in the book, Doctorow just stops talking about Evelyn, and only brings her up again in the last few sentences to say that she "had lost her looks and fallen into obscurity." With only this information to go upon, it's unclear whether she even continues donating to the anarchist cause...
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Louis Kim! I really liked your point questioning why Evelyn chooses to support specifically Tateh and the little girl instead of the Jewish slums as a whole. I feel like it originally wasn't her intention at all to help support the slums, however once she developed a relationship with Tateh and the little girl, they opened her eyes to the everyday struggles immigrant family must preserver to survive.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your comment about the "upper-class philanthropist's dissatisfaction" and I think that it serves to highlight the futility of Evelyn's charity. To me, it feels like Evelyn is trying to play an elaborate game of dress up and the money she pours into this family is like the entrance free.
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