Ragged Dick and Frank both were affected by each other as they both learned different things as a result of spending time together. Ragged Dick was asked by Frank’s uncle, Mr. Whitney, to be a tour guide of New York City. Dick started the tour at the bottom of Manhattan around 29th St and showed him the outs and ins of the city all the way up to Central Park. He provided Frank with an in-depth knowledge of the city as well as giving him insight into the streets. In regards to the streets, Ragged Dick was very slick when it came to street smarts and the ways to maneuver the city people, sometimes somewhat comically. When Dick said, “Yes, I ain’t knocked round the city streets all my life for nothin’” (37), it demonstrated the true power of his street smarts. He was able to slide him and Frank out of a nasty situation all due to his history of being a street boy.
On the other hand, Frank provided Dick with two things, one tangible and one intangible. In terms of a tangible thing, Frank provided him with suit. The way Dick was treated before and after he obtained the suit is like night and day. Before, he wore old and tattered clothing that made him look the part of the homeless boys of the city. Once he showered and changed, he now no longer looked like a shoe shiner from the streets and he was not treated like a street boy. For example, when Dick took the two-dollar bill to the store for change, the man working thought that he could scheme him out of the money by saying that it was a false bill (14). On the contrary, after he cleaned up, he was not pinned to be a thief as much as he had been beforehand. In terms of intangible gifts, Frank provided Dick with a support system and a friendship. While Dick gave Frank the tour of the city, the two of them formed a friendship. As Ragged Dick has been a street boy for most of his life, he has never had a strong sense of family or a support system, therefore Frank was the first true support he had.
It is apparent that Dick and Frank equally taught the other very important lessons. However, the more prevalent duo turns out to be Dick and Fosdick. Frank implanted an idea in Dick’s head, but Fosdick helped him see that idea come true.
ReplyDeleteBoth Frank and Fosdick experienced a great deal of curious situations with Dick, whether that be a crazy woman yelling that two boys stole her purse, or a sketchy neighbor actually stealing Dick’s wallet. However, Fosdick seemed to teach Dick more than Frank did. Dick hired Fosdick to be his private tutor to teach him reading, writing, geography, and even a little arithmetic. While Frank was the instigator of Dick’s desire to become educated, it was Fosdick who taught him how to achieve this goal.
In addition, Dick only really exposed Frank t the harshness of the world. Frank had to have known deep down that the city was full of swindlers and children working on the streets. Instead, Dick truly taught and changed Fosdick. When Fosdick is first introduced, he is described as “ill fitted” and “younger and weaker than [Dick].” By the end of the story, Fosdick turns into a successful and accomplished boy, with a real job and a true friend. Dick taught Fosdick the importance of saving money, helping others, and even being brave. These lessons are surly lessons Fosdick will remember all his life.
Though Frank did learn from Dick, his character appeared very static throughout the story, while Fosdick changed thanks to Dick’s companionship.
Frank is a typical wealthy boy from the country whose father has “a large pasture that is much nicer [than central park]” (Alger 48). Dick is the typical ragged boy from the city earning his money by shining shoes (Alger 4). Not often are there times when two characters like Frank and Dick meet and create symbiotic relationships. Completely complementary in characterization, Frank and Dick are able to immediately benefit from one another.
ReplyDeleteFrank benefits the most by observing Dick’s different lifestyle. Frank inquires Dick of his past and is shocked. Dick has been on his own in New York since he was seven and spends his nights sleeping outside (Alger 38). Frank, “who had always possessed a good home of his own”, couldn’t believe that Dick, a boy his age, did not have a home. This gives Frank a different perspective on life and empathizes Dick. Finally, the scene in the third avenue car in which a woman accuses Frank of stealing money shows that Frank probably would not have been able to solve the problem without Dick (Alger 42-45). With Dick’s “queer” personality and good spirits, Frank would have been overwhelmed.
Aside from the tangible gifts and benefits, Dick receives constant encouragement and support that he could break out of poverty one day. Dick had never thought about improving his current life, but Frank encourages him to go to school and move up the economic latter (Alger 40). Multiple times in their journey, Frank tells Dick that “perhaps you will be rich” and that there have been multiple instances where poor people have gone out to succeed in the world (Alger 39). Frank ultimately plants a seed of hunger for success in Dick.
As we discussed in class, the literate audience of Ragged Dick plays the role of Frank more so than Dick. We cannot relate to the impoverished orphan, although we might like to think of ourselves as relatively honest and opportunistic. Thus, your question can almost be restated "Do Dick and the reader gain an equal amount from each other?" Looking back on Ragged Dick from the twenty-first century, one of the first things I realize is the standard of living we take for granted. Certainly, this thought likely crosses Frank's mind during his short adventure with Dick. Additionally, he may learn that even the poorest and dirtiest individuals can be quite witty and resourceful. Of course, Frank and his uncle already appear quite enlightened on the matter as he recounts "Stewart wasn't always rich, you know" (39) and other optimistic "rags to riches" stories. Frank also gains some amount of "street smarts" as he witnesses several scams and swindles.
ReplyDeleteDick, as you observed, largely received a jumpstart in motivation and a financial foundation (a suit and $5) from Frank and his uncle. While this appears to be a temporary gift, if Dick uses it correctly, it could be significant for years to come. Of course, it was not Alger's intention for the two characters to have an exactly equal "exchange" of knowledge, money, etc.; all in all, Frank (and the reader) receive some insight into how the other side lives, while Dick receives a very convenient plot device.