When a young orphaned boy is living alone in the streets of New York city in the late 1800s, he has no choice but to raise himself and find a means to survive. Ragged Dick is this young boy who has learned a concept of independence all on his own. His view of independence changes, however, as he begins to grow up and starts to think more about his future rather than just making it through each day.
In the beginning of the novel, Dick’s concept of independence was simply being able to afford a meal and have a place to sleep for himself for one day and in reflecting, “...had thought very little of the future” (66). I think this is because Dick never had a role model or family to see what a “future life” looks like. While Dick was, “energetic, and on the alert for business…[and] earned three times as much as [Johnny]” he was often irresponsible spending all his money on gambling, smoking, or going to more extravagant restaurants. Although, Dick makes an honest living and doesn’t resort to stealing, his way of life makes it hard for him to ever move past being a boot black and be fully independent.
Alger here is emphasizing the importance that one must be able to grow and mature in order to have the means of being successful and truly independent later in life. This includes making sacrifices and not giving in to all our wants and desires in life. This theme is also heavily focused on in Little Women particularly because this applies to younger readers and is an important life lesson to be learned.
It isn’t until Dick meets Frank that he starts to realize the errors of his ways and vows to make a change. Frank acts as a voice of reason and is someone who guides Dick toward a path of true independence while Dick guides Frank through New York. Frank’s uncle, Mr. Whitney also gives Dick advise that is taken to heart especially when he is told, “Save your money...buy books, and determine to be somebody, and you may yet fill an honorable position…” (54). Dick starts to immediately save his money and put most of what he has in the bank and rents a room of his own. He even recalls, “It was wonderful how much more independent he felt…” after depositing his money at the bank (68). This is Dick’s first step towards independence and is something he is proud of. Whether it’s not having oyster soup or going to a show, Dick now begins to appreciate the idea of saving and is able to start looking toward a real future with his newfound independence.
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ReplyDeleteOne thing I find interesting is how the view of independence in the novel compares to the class’s definition of independence in today’s society. You mention how Dick’s initial concept of independence rests solely on day-to-day life, rather than planning for the future, but by the end of the novel, Dick defines independence as being responsible for his well-being and future. Independence, according to class discussion, involves an individual supporting him or herself financially, doing whatever he or she pleases at any time, and living alone. By that definition, Dick has been independent since age seven, as he “…was a little feller to take care of [him]self, but…[he] did it” (51). For the past seven years, Dick has experienced what many in today’s society would call true freedom. The difference between the attitude towards this freedom in the novel and the view of freedom in the present is the context. In the novel, Dick lives alone on the streets of New York because he doesn’t have a true home, mentioning “his bedchamber [was] a wooden box half full of straw…” (4). In contrast, independent individuals today live alone by choice and as a luxury, symbolizing freedom from parental rules. Ultimately, Dick’s independence is not a choice like it is for many living in the twenty-first century. Instead, his independence is a burden that he must overcome in order to grow into the man he wants to be.
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