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Ragged Dick


             wrote Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with the Bootblacks in 1868. Alger recreates the story of a boy and his life as a boot black in the streets of New York City in the 19th century. While telling this story, Alger addresses some of the major issues in society. One was the belief of the middle class society: that anyone and everyone could improve themselves with hard work, good manners and an education. Another of Alger's own beliefs was that the wealthy should help the poor. In the following paper I will address Alger's thoughts on the hardship and prosperity of life in the New York City economy. .
             Before Ragged Dick meets Frank and his uncle, he doesn't realize his ignorance; namely his speech, lack of care for his appearance and his acceptance of his station in life. Both characters tell Dick stories of poor boys rising up in the world, making him eager to learn to read and write so he can leave his boot-blacking career. Throughout the novel Dick encounters others who give him the "hard work and education" speech. In this manner Alger shows the notorious Victorian worldview (Boyer). It was mainly a belief of the middle-class society; preaching hard work and education as the only aspects needed to move up in the world. But this in itself is not entirely true. In order for a low class member to get an education they have to have one of two things: money or friends in a higher class. And having money doesn't necessarily guarantee having enough money to survive. So in some ways the Victorian's views are partially skewed. .
             Additionally, this view is incorrect in that not every hard working low classmen with some type of education is guaranteed to rise to a higher level in society. Alger gives people a false sense of reality with the characters he portrays in his book. Many of the people Dick meets are more than ready to help him or befriend him, whereas in real life it is very unlikely that a fourteen-year-old bootblack would find so many willing benefactors.


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