"Ragged Dick"

Paper Summary:

This paper interprets Horatio Alger's theme in "Ragged Dick" about how one can succeed in life despite one's humble beginnings. The paper summarizes the story's plot and cites examples that demonstrate this theme and Alger's message that it isn't enough to work hard and earn money, but that one must have a generous spirit and help others, as well.

From the Paper:

"Various interpretations have been put on his books, referring to people who start out poor but work hard and end up wealthy and successful as "real Horatio Alger stories." However, in reading the book, the reader will realize that this interpretation isn't entirely correct, for Alger's young hero doesn't want wealth, fame or status. He simply wants to have a secure job and enough money to live on. Neither wealth nor status figure into his goals, and he goes so far as to tell others he does not seek to be wealthy. What he seeks is upward mobility, to no longer sleep outdoors in a wooden box lined with straw and to have middle-class' "spectability." "

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