Detailing the life and struggles of a young orphan in New
York, Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick has
come to exemplify the American Dream since its publishing in 1867. This
quintessential American ideology, in which it is assumed that those who work
hard and persevere will eventually succeed, has become popularized with many “rags
to riches” stories such as those featured in Ragged Dick. However, Ragged
Dick’s seemingly accessible depiction of American Dream success is actually
an American Dream with many conditions.
Central to
the American Dream is the notion that anyone, as long as they work hard in a
persistent manner, is able to succeed despite their initial class and
education. In Ragged Dick, Alger uses
the juxtaposition of Dick with his friend and fellow bootblack, Johnny Nolan,
to demonstrate the ideal American Dream candidate and its opposite. Alger
writes, “Now, in boot-blacking business, as well as in higher avocations, the
same rule prevails, that energy and industry are rewarded, and indolence
suffers” (8). Dick becomes the face of the American Dream success story due to
his tendency to seek out opportunities and to push himself in any endeavor he
undertakes. In contrast, Johnny Nolan represents the unideal American Dream
candidate due to his poor work ethic and lazy tendencies. Furthermore, Alger
asserts that it is not the type of work being done that is important in the
scheme of American success, but rather that the individual is continually
bettering themselves through their efforts. Alger states that “energy and
industry” are key, regardless if the job undertaken is that of the “boot-blacking
business” or that of “higher avocations”.
Along with industrious
habits in any endeavor, the key to an individual’s success in Alger’s America
is an education. Mr. Whitney, detailing his rise to success to Dick, states, “So
you see, my lad, that my studious habits paid me in money, as well as in
another way” (55). Alger emphasizes the importance of receiving an education
and “studious habits” by associating them with Mr. Whitney, an individual
already benefiting from the American Dream. Alger’s depiction of the American dream
is alluring in its depiction of attainable success; however, it reveals requirements
that make its attainment more difficult for any individual.
Along with education and hard work, Alger also emphasizes that sometimes achieving the American dream should be left up to fate and luck. For example, in the book, when Dick takes a trip on the ferry, a young boy falls into the water. Being a powerful swimmer, Dick jumps off the ferry and rescues the boy. As fate would have it, the father of the boy is James Rockwell, a rich and well known industrialist. James Rockwell then offers Dick a well-paid clerk job that allows Dick to leave behind his old life.
ReplyDeleteDick was able to complete his “rags to riches” story only because fate and luck put him in a position where he could meet James Rockwell. Hence, in order to achieve the American dream, Alger believes that fate and luck tend to play an important part in helping a person fulfill their destiny. However, Alger’s belief is contradictory to a typical person’s view of the American dream. For most people, the American dream is built on the foundation that nothing should be left up to fate and that with true hard work and dedication, one can achieve his/her dreams. Hence, Alger’s contradiction from the commonly held view of the American dream helps to provide another perspective to the popular contemporary idea.
I'm a bit upset that I didn't comment on this blog post earlier as I had a similar thesis as Ally. Luck is pivotal to Dick's success and can be identified time and time again in his constant good fate and ability to be in the right place at the right time. Along with this idea of good fortune, Dick's morality allows him to succeed and is one of the reasons that he makes it big.
ReplyDelete"He was above doing anything mean or dishonorable. He would not steal, or cheat, or impose upon younger boys, but was frank and straight-forward, manly and self-reliant. His nature was a noble one and had saved him from all mean faults." (43-44)
This ability to do what is right is an oddity for boys his age throughout the novel; it is also one of the reasons that he makes it out of the slums when others remain stuck.
Dick putting others' welfare before his allows others to trust him. One of his customers likes Dick so much that he asks him to guide his nephew around the city for a day. It is occasions like this one that shows Dick's ability to connect with those of the higher class.
Furthermore, there is an idea of karma that lasts throughout the book. The better Dick acts, the better the chance something good will happen to him. This sides with both Allie and Ally's posts, while also giving one more reason for Dick's eventual shift to a success story.
Allie makes a very good point by saying that the American Dream which Alger presents is not as easily achieved as it appears to be. Indeed, Dick is hard-working, persevering, and honest, but he is also exceptionally lucky (as other people have pointed out and as has been discussed in class). Among a sea of street rat children who either steal or are lazy, Dick is “our hero” (chapter 2)—the boot-black who is meant to encapsulate the traits that make the American Dream succeed. Not only that, but he is hired by Mr. Whitney right off the bat, as well as given an entire set of new clothes. Dick’s luck only continues as the story goes on. Instead of Dick chasing the American Dream, Alger makes it seem like the American Dream is pulling Dick along.
ReplyDeleteWhile Dick’s ascent to respectability is easy, there are many barriers that are in the way for anyone who isn’t “our hero” (chapter 2). As Allie said, education and a great work ethic are both necessary in order to achieve the American Dream. Alger does not delve into the difficulties that pave the path of achievement. Even now, a century and a half after Ragged Dick was published, the American Dream is still difficult to achieve. It requires hard work, luck, perseverance, education, and many more factors. And yet, just as it was romanticized and oversimplified by Alger, it is still romanticized and oversimplified today. For every sea of unfortunate children, there is one Dick. And even then, he might not make it to the top.