Horatio Alger and Ragged Dick
The use of symbolism has always been a prevalent way for writers to communicate important issues to the public. It is not uncommon to read a simple children's story and discover underlying political or moral messages, for example, Horatio Alger's novel Ragged Dick. This story was written after the Civil War, when America experienced a period of huge industrial growth. The capitalistic work ethic had become a universal idea in the North, and in response the Government agreed to stay out of business affairs, following the industrial policy of "laissez-faire." This widened the gap between the rich and the poor, making it difficult for a less fortunate individual to work his way up in society. Many Americans, however, believed that it was definitely not impossible to become successful in life. Horatio Alger's character, Ragged Dick, is a young boot-black who works his way up in society to become a respectable gentleman. Through symbolism, Alger uses several material objects to reveal Dick's transformation into a successful young man. Dick's new suit is one example of symbolism that Alger uses. It is introduced when Dick offers to be a city guide to young Frank Whitney. The Whitney family is very kind to Dick and they t
Helping the young boy gave Dick a "feeling of self-approval which always accompanies a generous and disinterested action. Dick, however, had serious doubts about his writing skills, but he wrote the letter and sent it. " The Whitney's' intervention gave Dick the ability to be more than a simple boot-black. Whitney passed this on to Dick, along with a five-dollar bill to use wisely. To obtain this letter, Dick was forced to wear his old clothes, of which he was ashamed, to prove his identity. Before long, and through much perseverance, he was quickly learning to read and write. Upon questioning the boy, Dick discovered that Wilkins' mother could not pay her rent. " He knew the money was given to a good cause and that because of him, a family would be kept off the street. The bank savings book had instilled in him a sense of true responsibility and a continuing desire to save his earnings. The letter, was from young Frank Whitney, who he had not heard from since he had left for boarding school nearly a year before. He has money along with education, two essential qualities that are absolutely required to be successful during the Industrial Revolution. ake him into their home to prepare him for a day as Frank's tour guide. The suit was Dick's very first gift and it made him look so different that it was "difficult to imagine that he is the same boy. One evening Fos*censored* noticed an advertised letter in the newspaper addressed to the name of "Ragged Dick," and assumed that it referred to his roommate. Since he now looked like a young gentleman's son, Dick received respect and was soon unwilling to wear his old clothes which were ragged, dirty, and ill fitting.
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