After speaking with Frank, who gave Dick the confidence that he "won't be a boot-black all [his] life", Dick declared that he'd "like to be a office boy, and learn business, and grow up 'spectable", reflecting how money is important to him, but the respect of his peers if of higher importance (29). This is the starting point for Dick's journey into a more respectable life, one that he deems appropriate for himself and one that he is proud of. He begins to dress in clean clothes, cleanse himself daily, save money, buy a room to sleep in every night, learn to read and write, and, eventually, earn a position as a clerk in Mr. Rockwell's counting-room. The difference in appearance and mannerism of "Ragged Dick" versus "Richard Hunter" reflects the gap between the rich and the poor in this novel - both in appearance and wealth. There were many times that Dick was not recognized by people he worded for or worked with due to him being more put together, such as when his friend Johnny did not recognize him after Frank's grandfather gave him a new suit, depicting how the rich were more or less glorified as a breed of their own, one that looked nothing like the boot-blacks of society.
It can also be said that by educating himself, correcting his language, and cleaning up his wardrobe, Dick was able to climb the social ranks ever so slightly while the other boot-blacks, such as lazy Johnny, will remain boot-blacks for the rest of their lives. One of the final lines of the book is an interaction between Dick and Fosdick in which Fosdick tells Dick he must no longer go by the name "Ragged Dick" but think of himself as Richard Hunter: "a young gentleman on the way to fame and fortune", supporting the idea that a change in appearance has the possibility of allowing someone from a lower class the opportunity to climb the ranks and gain respect or riches
Overall, the novel reflected the idea that hard-work and a change in appearance is all one needs to climb the ranks and become rich, respectable, or both.
While hard work and appearance are important for ‘climbing the ranks,’ a support network is incredibly important, but often times over-looked.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the novel, Ragged Dick spent his money carelessly and delighted himself with extravagance. On page 6, Alger describes our hero, stating, “however much he managed to earn during the day, all was generally spent before morning.” This pattern of unnecessary spending left Ragged Dick destitute in the streets.
It wasn’t until Dick met Frank that his mindset began to change. On pages 56 and 57, Frank’s and Mr. Whitey’s parting words to Dick tenderly encourage him to stop spending money so foolishly, and instead, strive to lead a better life. This interaction implanted the idea that Ragged Dick should strive to be more, and he confesses to himself, “I’d like to show [Frank] I can do something.” And so began the journey of Ragged Dick transforming into Richard Hunter.
Our hero then meets Henry Fosdick, whom he hires to become his “private tutor,” in exchange for paying Fosdick’s board in Mrs. Mooney’s lodging (74). In addition, Ragged Dick joins Mr. Greyson in attending Sunday School. While Mr. Greyson aids Fosdick in getting a job, he also teaches Dick religious subjects, feeling it necessary to “begin at the beginning.” Finally, Dick encounters Tom, and is able to gift him money, repaying his debt to Mr. Whitney (116).
Although Dick’s dress and hard work allowed him to succeed and finally get a “’spectable job,” he could not have done so without the help of his support network.
While I would agree that the importance of dress, education, and language are stressed in this novel, I think it is because these are the obvious choices due to what they represent. I also agree with the above comment that the support network is the critical factor in Dick’s case.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of dress is not one that can be overlooked. How one looks, informs the world of who you are as a person and is, in most cases, the first and irrevocable impression that the world will take in. Dressing well not only conveys the sense that you have the ability to do so, but also that you respect yourself and that you respect others enough to dress to the appropriate professional level. While Dick is on his quest to be “’spectable” after his first night on Mott street he is “ashamed” (62) of his old clothes and unwilling to put them on. This further reflects, that how one dresses and grooms oneself is a matter of taking pride in oneself.
Speaking articulately and grammatically is another goal Dick takes pains to achieve. This shows again the level of professionalism, respect for others, and just generally helping others understand you. It is also a product of one’s work. It is only natural in one’s quest for self-improvement to seek to better oneself through education and speaking well is just a product of this procedure. For indeed, the commitment, perseverance, and hard work that is necessary to improve oneself through education is a good part of the education.
Furthermore, all of these logical progressions that Dick undergoes in his quest to improve himself are only undertaken due to the support of Frank, for without Frank, Dick would have never worked/lucked his way to his $10 an hour job and future hopes of prosperity and respectability.