In the novel Ragged Dick, by Horatio Alger, the author writes morals of the 19th century and the transition of boyhood to working men in this rags to riches tale. The protagonist, Dick, a 14 year old orphan, is living in a box and running his own shoe-shining business. His wit and charisma brings him Frank and his uncle, who present him with the opportunity of being guide to Frank, where he receives lessons on respectability along the way.
This novel displays how being an upstanding citizen can lead to great outcomes. Dick was surrounded by temptation in his position of poverty, including thievery, lying, and the ease of spending all of his money, yet he learns to have impulse control. This consistent theme is shown when he is tempted to steal, but fights against it, and in the end is rewarded with doughnuts. This situation proves that when people are honest, fate will give them what they merit. In another lesson of good karma, Dick shines a gentleman's shoes who gives him a bill to take to a nearby store to get change. In the process, he is almost swindled by the salesclerk, but ends up receiving more from the gentleman for the trouble. Plus, because of this setting, Dick encounters Frank, a boy about Dick's age, and his uncle, who are in need of a tour guide for New York City. This opportunity allows Dick to be gifted new clothes, to clean himself, and to be presented with the possibility of receiving an education.
Alger also includes a lesson on the humanity of all people. The novel begins with Dick appearing as a scraggly boy trying to earn money. However, Frank's uncle sees the expertise within Dick that he requires. Dick's experience living in the city, his knowledge of the stragglers who choose to earn money dishonestly, and his welcoming face convinces Frank's uncle to allow the shoe-shiner to be his nephew's guide. Although Dick's appearance and his homelessness insinuates a poor, fraudulent boy, he proves that his time living on the streets gives him knowledge that many people living in New York do not have. In another example, the appearance of Frank's uncle may stereotype him as an uncaring, shallow person, yet he trusts Dick and even welcomes him into his home. He proves to be a giving person, presenting Dick with clothes and a refuge to clean himself, allowing Dick to display the outside appearance of the wholesome person he has always been.
In Ragged Dick, the transition from boyhood to working men is emphasized in morals, which can be related to the 21st century. On their journey through New York City, Frank explicitly informs Dick how to be respectable. Frank expresses the importance of saving his money, getting an education, and finding a room to sleep. This can be related to today's society, where young men are expected to work hard on their education, even to go to college to earn the best jobs. They are supposed to save enough money to live on their own and be an active member of society. Young men are also judged on their respectability and hard work, which are necessary for living a substantial life.
I completely agree with all of your points. Something I found in the reading is that often, Alger describes success as being involved in business, which Dick does not have the opportunity to get involved in because the starting salary is so low. This indicates that this might be an issue later on in the novel as he tries to move up in the world. Not only does Alger touch on the humanity of the characters, but he also calls into question what respectability really means. For example, characters such as the woman on the bus, who is clearly from the middle class, exhibit character traits that would be considered unrespectable such as lying. On the other hand, Dick, who is clearly a member of the lower class, always strives to follow his moral compass—even though he does tell white lies every once in a while. This is particularly relevant because of the lack of religion in Dick's life, which shows that it is not necessary for someone to have formal religious education in order to be a good person or a respectable person. Our current definition of respectability does include education and many of the traits shown in Ragged Dick; However, I do feel as if an emphasis on morality is more relevant than social standing nowadays, though the upper class can often get away with a lot more than the lower class.
ReplyDeleteThis was my reply- Maddie Stacey
DeleteI definitely agree that these are some of Horatio Alger's more important points he is trying to make in 'Ragged Dick'. I believe one this his points can teach us nowadays is to give people a chance no matter what background they seem to come from. Dick obviously comes from very little due to his box home and his clothes; however, Frank and his uncle are very willing to trust him as a guide. Most people these days may see someone that looks like Dick and stray away, even ignoring them to avoid any confrontation because they look "dirty". I believe it is a very unfair thing to judge someone on how they look and make snap judgments rather than giving them the chance. One of your other points I agree with is the emphasis on transitioning from boyhood to manhood. In the home where I was raised, the idea of growing up was either playing sports or getting a job, continuing your education, and the being able to support yourself. More and more children are being pushed towards a continued education so they can get farther in life. Years ago, you didn't necessarily always need a degree to work somewhere as long as you presented yourself teachable. I think this book is still very relatable and can be a lesson to many.
ReplyDeleteI one-hundred percent agree with your analysis of what Alger was arguing about morality in the 19th century, however I don't entirely agree with what Alger. I believe you nailed the parts of the book of importance but I think that Alger was looking at his own society with rose colored glasses. In reality being an upstanding person doesn't always lead to great outcomes like Alger would like us to believe. You mentioned Dick's experiences in not stealing the bread at the bakery and being rewarded but in real life not stealing is not something people get rewarded for. Another example is when Dick returned the change to Mr. Greyson. Often when you return something that is owed, you're not given an invitation to church and later and invitation back to that persons house. I think that Alger would like to believe that by simply being a good person and working hard you can make your way in the world, but this is not the case. I'm not not nearly qualified to give the actual qualities that make a successful person but I know it takes a lot more than that. Just to reiterate, I don't disagree with what you said about Alger, I disagree with Alger.
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