The Fairytale of Ragged Dick
The story of Ragged Dick portrays the United States as a fairytale land of good luck and opportunity. Alger believed that anyone with good values and determination can achieve success. This is an unrealistic portrayal of the United States and Ragged Dick’s story is definitely unique.
Dick starts with nothing. He has no education, no savings, no respect, no home and no hope for change. The only things that Dick has going for him are that he has a decent boot blacking business and good values. Apparently, Alger believes that this is all that one needs. Dick meets Frank and Mr. Whitney by chance and departs with Frank under circumstances that would today seem unlikely. No one has ever offered me a tour of the city knowing that I’m a total stranger. People are not that friendly, at least where I live. Meeting Frank is the first break for Dick. He is given a new suit and a bath. They are independently more significant in the transformation of Dick’s character than anything else that Dick works for or achieves. Dick’s Napoleon pants and Washington coat defined him as Ragged Dick. This suit alone separates Dick from his identity and the other boot blacks. “…So transformed in dress that it was difficult to be sure of his identity.” His own friend Johnny Nolan almost doesn’t recognize him. This suit and bath reverse his appearance, commanding respect and confidence. This is the first change that Dick goes through. Alger places more importance in this suit and Dick’s appearance then anything else. By naming the novel Ragged Dick, Alger defines Dick based on his raggedness. With his new suit, is character is transformed.
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bag--a person's particular interest; as in "singing's my bag" barn burner--a very stylish, classy woman beard--a male friend who acts as a "cover"; usually for extramarital affairs beetle--a girl who dresses in flashy clothes big-leaguer--a resourceful man who can handle any situation bird--the male or female genitalia; standard greeting: "How's your bird"? bombsville--any kind of failure in life; ...
All of Ragged Dick’s other achievements spring from his new suit and inspiration from Frank and Mr. Whitney. Frank tells Dick a story about Dick Whittington, the Lord Mayor of London. He was very poor as a boy but grew up to be successful and wealthy. This summarizes the story of Ragged Dick. Dick Whittington was the recipient of extreme luck. He happened to be given a cat, happened to be sent on a journey, and happened to land on an island where there were too many mice. The king of the island offers Dick Whittington lots of gold for the cat, beginning his fortune and his ascent to become the Lord Mayor of London. This in itself is a fairytale and represents Ragged Dick’s story. Ragged Dick, like Dick Whittington, is also struck with luck. Instead of a cat he is given five dollars. Instead of a voyage he is given a new suit. Instead of gold he is finally given a steady, well-paying job.
The inspiration Ragged Dick gets from the story of Dick Whittington is life-changing. He becomes motivated and decides to save his money and plan for his future. He no longer gambles or spends his money of frivolous things, like the theatre or oyster stew. He then decides that he must find a stable place to live, instead of in a box. The first day that Dick does not go to the theatre, he demonstrated that he would change his life and end his state of homelessness and poverty.
Dick’s most prominent characteristics are his honesty and modesty. These take him far but in real life, such qualities are not as often rewarded. Dick’s modesty is shown by his appreciation and content for whom he is at the beginning of the book. His honesty is shown numerous times throughout the book, beginning with his refusal to steal. These qualities, however, are not enough to pull Dick from poverty to success. As Alger believes, his luck is really what brings him from rags to riches. No one has luck as fortunate as Dick does, as Dick’s circumstances do not accurately reflect the opportunity in the United States. Real success comes from hard work and dedication, not luck.
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Part 1 Chapter 1- Blima is working at her aunt Rachel’s Bakery. She is happy that she gets to work at her aunt’s bakery, because her aunt picked her to work their out of all of the sisters. She loves it at the bakery ,because the little children that walk in to buy baked goods for their parents and blima always talks to the children and ask them questions. Then, Its time for Blima to ...
