Success in Horatio Alger's 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 being
The 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 characters
A 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 the
American 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 the
through 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 “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-ground
possessions. 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 whole
Malcolm X and Ragged D Throughout history, individuals have strived to achieve the “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 “American Dream” are depicted in the books, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told by Alex Haley, and Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life
people that we have in this country and to decrease the amount of student loans. Horatio Alger suggests in his story of “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. “The Horatio Alger myth conveys three basic messages: (1) each of us is judged solely on her
..”(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, “...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 intentions as a result of his good faith. From the
of 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 Alger's 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