I think that this novel is a take
on the typical American dream, one where Americans are able to work their way
up and go from rags to riches. However, I think it is interesting to note how far-fetched
and extreme Dick’s situation is, as well as how he is unable to accomplish his
own American dream on his own.
Frank is poor, on the streets, and
incredibly dirty. One can see a change in Dick’s experience as soon as he
happens to run into Frank and his uncle, Mr. Whitney. Not only does Dick meet
them, but he then receives Frank’s old clothes and is given the opportunity to
explore the city with Frank, as stated: ““I may be rash in trusting a boy of
whom I know nothing, but I like your looks, and I think you will prove a proper
guide for my nephew” (Alder 38). This a rather unlikely scenario, and I think
it is important to examine whether or not Alger is alluding to the fact that
the American dream cannot be accomplished alone. Not only is this scenario
extremely unlikely, but Dick’s life is instantly turned around. He cleans
himself off, is given new clothes, and even given a new handkerchief. His life
drastically improves immediately. He did not take a traditional path to turn
his life around, rather an unlikely occurrence of meeting two people on the
street drastically improved his life. Despite meeting Frank and Mr. Whitney,
Dick is far from the American Dream, as he still is a very low class, however
his life drastically improved and he has taken great steps towards
accomplishing the American Dream.
I believe that Alder made the
choice to incorporate Frank and Mr. Whitney as a statement on the American
dream, being that it cannot be accomplished alone. This could be a far-fetched idea;
however, I think it is an interesting concept to examine. Did Adler simply create
this scenario for an interesting storyline, or was he making a statement on the
American dream? I think this will be an interesting topic to continue to
discuss as we read further into the novel.
I also found it interesting that an extremely generous duo fell into Dick's lap. Similar to the Laurences in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, a family with more financial means helps the hero in a huge way. In both cases, it could be considered a two-way street. In Little Women, the March family provides the feeling of family for the Laurences and Beth and the girls provide comfort to Mr. Laurence after his granddaughter had passed. In Ragged Dick, Dick provides Frank and his uncle with his city expertise. There is an exchange of sorts in both novels but the main thing the hero receives is money or physical items. In Little Women, this includes food and a piano. In Ragged Dick, the new suit was a gamechanger. One could argue that Dick had a part in bringing Frank into his life, for he was always eavesdropping and investigating people on the streets to see how he could serve them and profit off of them. However, Frank’s immediate acceptance of Dick was something that seemed a little more unlikely to happen in real life. I do believe nobody could achieve the American Dream on their own, and that may be what Alger is arguing, but his way of showing it provides the audience with the idea that a magical, generous force will boost an individual further on their way - an occurrence which might be rare to happen.
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