Horatio Algers Ragged Dick Essay - 1012 Words

In Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick, Alger writes about a rag-to-riches story and points out valid and key messages that tell of things like hard work and determination can take anyone from the bottom to the top, despite one’s economic class. I do realize that in real life that although these messages hold key to making it in the world, everyone does not have the equal opportunity to succeed or move up in class rankings like Alger says. Dick, the main character in Ragged Dick, is a man that fits every trait Alger describes in the story. He is a man who has a mediocre job, and is a very hard worker. Throughout the story, signs show us that Dick is a man who has ambition and is very determined to one day get away from his poor†¦show more content†¦Situations like these create problems and make it hard for all people to move up in society, which is something that Alger does not point out. For years, many people continue to work hard in order to one day to reach the upper class. However, for most of us making high amounts of six figures or better is really a dream and never shapes into reality. Writer Gregory Mantsios in his article â€Å"Class in America†, talks about these things, and how wide the gap is between the rich and the poor and also discusses how the rich continue to get richer, while the poor continue to get poorer. Mantsios gives his readers the profiles and backgrounds of three hard-working Americans, two of them are white males, whose family background as well as education played a role in their success, while the other person is a black woman who is just above the poverty line despite her work as a nurse’s aide. Through these profiles, Mantsios article shows exactly how sex, race and shows how your parental and educational background of a person can play a role in the things that you achieve. Mantsios also talks about one’s performance in school and the level of school completed can suggest whether or not class that person may belong in. Mantsios gives his readers great evidence and details that not only show class distinctions in our society, but how the chances to move up from the poor to wealthy is one in aShow MoreRelated Comparing Success in Horatio Algers Ragged Dick and the Life of Colin Powell1062 Words   |  5 PagesSuccess in Horatio Algers Ragged Dick and the Life of Colin Powell What does success mean to you? I think the idea of success is affected by the social system. In America and Hong Kong, which are capitalistic societies affected by the American Dream, success means money and fame. In other societies, success might have different meanings. Some people said money and fame is the true meaning of success, but I think that the true meaning of success is to follow the interest of your own and beingRead MoreMinor Characters in Ragged Dick1605 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Minor Characters in Ragged Dick It is impossible for the minor characters in Ragged Dick to have a fair chance at being recognized as decent members of society because of the emphasis Horatio Alger Jr. places on Dick Hunter. The better qualities of Dick are constantly being reminded to the reader, giving them little room to disagree with Alger’s heroic portrayal of him. Horatio Alger Jr.’s preference to homosexuality also reflects his choice in excluding any useful female charactersRead MoreA Life Of A Hero1125 Words   |  5 PagesA Life of a Hero Horatio Alger’s novels Ragged Dick was written in the 1800’s, about a young boy called Richard Hunter. Richard Hunter was from the working class, financially poor trying to survive in the tough city of New York. Richard’s goal to write in the 1800’s, about a young boy called Richard Hunter. Richard Hunter was from the working class, financially poor trying to survive in the tough city of New York. Richard’s goal to achieve the American Dream. Dick gives an awesome example of theRead MoreThe American Dream: A False Sense of Hope Essay1543 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican Dream by promising wealth or fame to many others, a false sense of hope has been created for those who are economically marginalized. In our country’s long history, there have been many similar accounts of these events. From the stories of Horatio Alger to multiple classic Disney films to some of the world’s most famous celebrities, there has always been a time where a person has risen from a lower economical ranking to being successful and wealthy. Surprisingly however, the concept of theRead MoreSocial Class Of Social Mobility1491 Words   |  6 Pagesthrough talent and a moral high ground has transcended generations and cemented itself in American culture. One of the stories that deeply perpetuates this idea of social mobility is Horatio Alger’s â€Å"Ragged Dick.†Alger tells a the story of a man who unknowingly seizes an opportunity and achieves social mobility: Dick completely disregards his own safety and saves the drowning son of a business tycoon without hearing the business man’s initial monetary offer— acting simply on his moral high-groundRead MoreMyth of Mone y and Success Essay1254 Words   |  6 Pagespossessions. In today’s society, we all hope and strive for this dream, but how many actually achieve the American Dream? Is it a reasonable goal that Americans should strive for, or is it a myth that only leads to self-destruction? According to Horatio Alger and Toni Cade Bambara, they both believe the concept that the American Dream is a myth and prove these fundamentals through their writing. A single person or a small group does not create the notion of success, but it is created by our wholeRead MoreThe American Dream: Malcolm X and Rugged D.1643 Words   |  7 PagesMalcolm X and Ragged D â€Æ' Throughout history, individuals have strived to achieve the â€Å"American Dream.† Whether they worked endless hours to achieve financial stability or fought infinite amounts of people for their equality, their drive came from the understanding that if they tried hard enough, they would be prosperous and successful. The different viewpoints of the â€Å"American Dream† are depicted in the books, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told by Alex Haley, and Ragged Dick, Or, Street LifeRead MoreThe Education System Of The United States971 Words   |  4 Pagespeople that we have in this country and to decrease the amount of student loans. Horatio Alger suggests in his story of â€Å"Ragged Dick, that everyone has a chance to succeed based on their merits. Harlan Dalton, however, says that this is not in fact true. Everyone has a chance to achieve based on hard work and perseverance, but just because you have luck or achievements does not mean that you will succeed. â€Å"The Horatio Alger myth conveys three basic messages: (1) each of us is judged solely on herRead MoreThe American Dream By Thomas Jefferson1329 Words   |  6 Pages..†(Meacham). Many Americans were determined to recreate themselves in the new land and faith boosted their confidence. After the move west the U.S. population rapidly increased and their was an influx of jobs. In Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick anything was a job the main character, Dick would even, â€Å"...devote half his day to blacking boots† (Alger). Dick’s hard work and confidence made him really start the dream, however he was rewarded by his good intentio ns as a result of his good faith. From theRead MoreRereading America: The Myth of Individual Opportunity2000 Words   |  8 Pagesof a respectable person at a job interview might be enough to put a person in the path of opportunity and the American dream. One could literally start a new life with a new suit of clothes, such as in the case of the main character in Horatio Algers Ragged Dick. That character was able to start a completely new life, one of respectability and one in which he had a real shot at reaching the American dream, simply by throwing off the trappings and appearance of his old, hobo-style life and taking