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Ragged Dick and Struggling Upward (Works of Horatio Alger Jr.)

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Your great grandfathers read them by the fistful. Even your grandfathers probably read at least a few of them. But the days when Horatio Alger was one of the most widely read authors in America have long since passed. Alger's message--that by dint of hard work, decent morals, good manners and a hefty serving of luck, any American boy can rise from rags to riches--is so clearly anathema to the literati that his dismissal by the critics and the continuing refusal to treat his work as anything other than simple-minded boosterism was virtually foreordained.

However, you would think that Alger's novels would warrant greater scrutiny simply for their obvious cultural impact. It is not an overstatement to say that it is likely that every significant man of business, politics, literature and academia in America in the early decades of this century had read the works of Horatio Alger. How can you hope to understand these men and the America that they forged if you ignore the one author who was most likely a formative influence on them? More than that, it is certainly the case that except for a couple of decades of despair brought on by the Great Depression, it is, has been, and seems sure to remain, the uniquely American idea that anyone can succeed. It is amazing the number of times you will hear folks from foreign countries speak about how this perception of unlimited possibilities is something that you only find in America (Howard Evans on Booknotes one night springs to mind). This after all is why we are the one nation that welcomes immigrants. Other countries assume that immigrants will just get on the dole and stay there; we assume they will not only succeed, but will flourish. Alger is certainly not the originator of these belief, but his millions of books must have contributed something to this entrepreneurial spirit that informs the national soul.

Besides that, they are just fun. There is something refreshing about Alger's straightforward, unmannered writing style. The mere absence of all of the modern stylistic devices that so often make reading modern novels a chore, makes reading the books a pleasure. Besides, who doesn't get a vicarious thrill reading about a good boy making good. And, beneath the outer layers of poverty, Alger's heroes are enormously appealing; here's his description of Richard "Ragged Dick" Hunter:

Dick's appearance as he stood beside the box was rather peculiar. His pants were torn in several places, and had apparently belonged in the first instance to a boy two sizes larger than himself. He wore a vest, all the buttons of which were gone except two, out of which peeped a shirt which looked as if it had been worn a month. To complete his costume he wore a coat too long for him, dating back, if one might judge from its general appearance, to a remote antiquity.

Washing the face and hands is usually considered proper in commencing the day, but Dick was above such refinement. He had no particular dislike to dirt, and did not think it necessary to remove several dark streaks on his face and hands. But in spite of his dirt and rags there was something about Dick that was attractive. It was easy to see that if he had been clean and well dressed he would have been decidedly good-looking. Some of his companions were sly, and their faces inspired distrust; but Dick had a frank, straight-forward manner that made him a favorite.

There is a reason that the term "Horatio Alger story" lives on in our lexicon. The concept touches something deep within our psyche, confirming something that we desperately want to believe about individuals and about the type of world and society that we live in.

Let the critics ridicule them, but when we stop believing in the power and the truth of the Alger myth, we will cease to be a great nation.

GRADE: B

Horatio Alger made an instant classic when he wrote this book. Fast-moving, you can finish the book in one sitting. These two stories will reach all youth and even adults. Perfect book for those comming of age. A definite 5-star book!

This book was great. it was about a boy who came from the streets of New York City who had to fend for himself. Even though he was very poor and lived on the streets he was very kind and always tried to help people out. this is a excellent book for it reminded me of people who come to New York city not having anything but at the same time possessing everything! he had dreams but thought he would never achive them. Ragged Dick was a powerful and complelling book. I couldn't put it down cause I wanted to read more of the boy's adventures through the streets of NEW York. it has left a warm place in my heart forever!

While this book was written more than one-hundred years ago- its message is as fitting today as it was then: the rewards in all areas of life go to those who believe in themselves, and act boldly in pursuit of their dreams. I would recommend this book to any young person interested who dreams of becoming successful. I first read this novel when I was 14 years old and now am a successful businessman ten years later. Many of the parables that Horatio Alger used have become very personally significant to me in my journey to success-- and I believe you can enjoy the same experience.

I had heard so much about Horatio Algier Jr., but never took to the time to read any of his stories. Ragged Dick and Struggling Upward are two novelettes that teach Algier's recurring theme that honesty and hard work will always pay. Yes, the stories are overly simplistic, but they are refreshing and make for a good wholesome read. It was fascinating to read these stories that were written in the mid 19th century. When Algier writes about a stagecoach ride in Struggling Updward, he is not doing so from an historical perspective, but likely from personal experience. Don't miss the introduction by Carl Bode. There are some interesting facets of Algier's life that hardly live up to the standards that he set for his heroes. Nonetheless, the author offers light reading with very positive and hopeful messages that are still relevant today.

During 1850s, common stories about "poor city youths, newsboys and bootblacks" who became rich and famous which were popular. (Introduction, p. X) In "Ragged Dick" we have a young boy who is our "hero" or a main character which book concentrates upon. Alger opened up Dick's identity, inspirations, dreams, plans and hopes. Dick was a sarcastic youngster, generous towards friends, gambler and smoker. At the same time, he never steals, neither cheats nor hurt younger boys and this makes him a "noble" young gentleman. "[Dick's] pants were torn in several places, and had apparently belonged in the first instance to a boy two sizes larger than himself. He wore a vest, all the buttons of which were gone except two, out of which peeped a shirt which looked as if it had been worn a month. To complete his costume he wore a coat too long for him, dating back, if one might judge from its general appearance, to a remote tranquility." (p. 4) Throughout the book Alger draws us to see the transfer of a boy who once was Ragged Dick into a respectable young gentleman Richard Hunter. "When Dick was dressed in his new attire, with his face and hands clean, and his hair brushed, it was difficult to image that he was the same boy" Dick changes from being uneducated, dirty and wearing ragged clothes that are too big for him into a "quite handsome...young gentleman, except that his hands were red and grimy". (p. 24) Alger could have made Dick a good looking, rich and educated young gentleman but he chose completely the opposite. This way of writing only made it more realistic since not everyone becomes rich; we work hard to get there.

Throughout the book, Alger opens the identities of all the characters, draws images of the New York City streets, transportation and structures. We learn about the games, cheats, crooks and tricks happening on the streets. (Introduction, p. xi) Alger draws our attention to the juvenile boys' desires for simple things such as: "a steady job, a decent place to sleep, a suit of clothing, respect from others" as well as planning for future. (Introduction, p. xii) There are a lot of details used to make our minds actually see the real pictures of the situations. Some of the details include about the greatest pleasure that Dick is experiencing with his saving's account that keeps on growing very slowly with every week and the first experience of washing his face because "[washing] the face and hands is usually considered proper in commencing the day, but Dick was above such refinement" (p. 4) Dick was unable to wash his hands and face since he was living on the street.

The reason why I think Ragged Dick was a success is because this story was easy to read as well as inspiring. I had been left with a feeling that just as Dick kept telling his friends they can become smart and rich, I could too. I also find it interesting how this uneducated, dirty, sarcastic, young boy over the period of approximately one year turn into this young noble gentleman. Just as Dick wasn't successful in everything he did, we tend to somehow compare ourselves to him. His life is quiet realistic and can be compared to some of our own lives. Although I do believe that Dick was a bit too optimistic then some of us, which is why not all of us will have the same ending.

I read this book for my U.S History II class and enjoyed it thoroughly. Although the characters "struggle", both stories were very entertaining and humorous. The story is very sincere and leaves the reader feeling inspired.

Ragged Dick I feel is a good book because it talks about life without money, and just the hardships that Dick faced everyday. Like how he was going to earn his money to pay for his meals. If he was lucky maybe a place to sleep. He had a friend Johnny Nolan who was in the same situation as Dick but he would not work as hard or did not have the drive to work to make the money he needed to, to survive. Dick would shine every business mans shoes as much as they wanted him to and run and change bills for them. This all gains trust with Dick and his clients. That he would have trusting customers that would now look for him and not someone that they do not. He would slowly start to have a somewhat stable business.
Dick and his friend Johnny did many things together which made them close friends. But when Dick was going to go make a buck or what ever he could do to make his customers happy with his work, Johnny would go and mess around instead of worrying about his next step in life. He was just floating along doing the least amount of work possible to survive. When mealtime came around Dick being the nice and sharing boy, he would pay for him as well. Not even expecting Johnny to ever pay him back, knowing that Johnny wasn't good for it.
This story grabbed a hold of me from the start and didn't let go of me until the end which was great to have a book that I could read and not worry about falling asleep while reading, an old book.

If you like underdog rags-to-riches stories and want to believe in an America where hard work and integrity still hold the key to success, then this book is for you. This is a fun book and Alger is a gifted writer. His Ragged Dick character is witty and charismatic, rising up from homeless street urchin to respected bookkeeper by dint of hard work, frugality and focused study. In an age of corporate greed and scandals (this year: Enron, Martha Stuart insider trading, etc.) it is refreshing to read stories where ordinary people transcend their circumstances with honesty, hard work, integrity, and compassion.

While the very words "Horatio Alger" have passed into American English ("his success was a true Horatio Alger story"), Alger's books have gone terribly out of fashion. They are rarely read, which is one reason I decided to give "Ragged Dick" a try.

Most literary types would find this book poorly written, but it is certainly well enough written to tell its tale, and it's very hard to get a few pages into the book without starting to cheer for Ragged Dick, the boot-black. In a lot of ways, the book is surprisingly realistic: robbery and fraud are constant companions on the streets of New York. But so are sudden acts of compassion and generosity.

Readers will find that Alger ceaselessly preaches the gospel of hard work, thrift, self-reliance, education and good moral character. One of Dick's big steps upwards occurs when he decides to attend a Sunday school, which certainly would not meet with approval from our liberal elite, any more than prayer. Our elite would probably be amazed that Dick accomplishes all of his self-improvement without ever once thinking of government help...it simply never crosses his mind.

The most surprising thing, for me, was that I came to like "Ragged Dick" quite a bit. He's got a wicked sense of humor, referring often to his "urgent luncheon date with the Mayor" or his "Erie Canal shares." I'm pretty sure that this explains why the book sold in the millions: Dick is simply a great character.

The books may have gone out of fashion, but they are NOT out of date. :-)