The American Dream is often thought of as making a name for yourself with the mentality of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Rags to riches stories are not a new concept with people often claiming that just pure hard work got them to their current position. While some of these stories may be real, stories such as those written by Horatio Alger make us question the validity of such claims. In Ragged Dick we see not one, not two, but at least three different examples of rags to riches or "respectability". Likewise, even those that are already doing well seem to need assistance. So how much independence do we truly need to do well in life? The most obvious example is of Dick going from boot shine to office assistant. However, we also see that Fosdick does well for himself as well. Lastly, we hear that Mr. Whitney himself started as quite poor before becoming a wealthy gentleman. All three of them needed monetary assistance or resources provided to them such as shelter for Fosdick and tutoring for Dick to get on their way. While there is no doubt that these three characters have ambition, as no one will make it off well if they don't take advantage of their surroundings even if given all the money they can imagine, it makes a person reading this wonder how much of their life is dependent on trying hard and how much is dumb luck, like being on a boat where a boy happens to fall off and you saving him results in your escape from poverty. Likewise, this question of dependence goes farther than just money and making one's self "'spectable". We see that Frank is well off. However, he is clueless when it comes to street smarts. Dick has to explain to him that the man with the stuffed wallet was a con and about the ways of New York. It is interesting to think how Frank may have applied these lessons to his boarding school once he left the city and was surrounded by boys that are like how he was prior. In my opinion, Frank was much better off because he was dependent on Tom. Ultimately, the idea of independence is nice in theory, but being dependent on others can be far more enriching, interesting, and much more fulfilling and a result. So is the American Dream possible? and if so, is it even something that we should want?
This is something that came up in the discussion on "Little Women" as well; the idea that independence is the highest of virtues may sound enticing to some, but complete independence is perhaps too much of a good thing. It is admirable to stand on one's own two feet and to do so can show a great deal of wisdom, fortitude, or perseverance, but it is the nature of humanity, as a social creature, to desire the company of others, for true companions who bring their own capacities into our lives. We are better together, with each of our own strengths, perspectives, and idiosyncrasies playing off one another's. In "Ragged Dick" the combination of Dick's streetwise ways and Frank's resources and book-knowledge will make a better whole than either could accomplish alone, and in "Little Women" I believe we all remember the common theme of each March sister finding a "complementary" husband.
ReplyDeleteThis raises an interesting question as although the meaning of independence progresses throughout the book, the overall theme remains prevalent. It is clear that Ragged Dick does gain self-fulfillment from evolving beyond providing the basic necessities for himself to opening a bank account and establishing a permanent residence; however, the personal relationships he gains along the way, through his dependence on others and their dependence on him, are what make his experiences truly enjoyable. The relationships that Dick establishes are the result of him receiving help from others, offering his own, or a combination of both as seen with his friendships with Frank, Fosdick, and Tom Wilkins. Dick points out that “He felt that his money was well bestowed, and would save an entire family from privation and discomfort” after giving his money to support Tom Wilkins’s family (116). Through this generous contribution, Tom and his family became dependant on Dick, yet in the process, Dick gained a sense of pride and Tom, a sense of gratefulness. This is a reflection of the help Dick receives earlier from Mr. Whitney who loans him the same amount in hopes that he will be able to continue the cycle and help another impoverished boy. In this sense, Alger illustrates the importance of both independence and dependence but suggests that a certain degree of dependence is first necessary to gain independence.
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