In pairs, I’d like you to draft a tentative thesis about this text. If you had to summarize this text’s main claim or its central argument, what do you think it is? After you discuss this question, work together to write a paragraph in which you introduce this thesis to the rest of class. In this paragraph, also include one brief passage from the text that best illustrates your claim about it.
Please work in the following pairs/groups: Suzanne, Bandy & Zeke, Allison & Patrick, Will & Matt, Hewen & Lucia, Lucien & Michael, Avery & Georgia, Zhi & Sonia.
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In the book Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger, he focuses on the concept of how education and determination are the building blocks of success.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this book focuses on a lot of different aspects of getting out of homelessness, we believe that the book took a twist when Dick became determined to better his situation. He puts forth effort to learn how to read and write, and to save his earnings in order to better his lifestyle. "Our hero was very much earnest in his desire to improve. He knew that, in order to grow up respectable he must be well advanced, and he was willing to work"(Alger 98). Through this quote it shows the essential message that the author is trying to make. That is, one's desire to improve and having the patience to do so is imperative to making a better life for yourself.
-Suzanne, Allison & Bandy
In the novel "Ragged Dick," by Horatio Alger the main character Dick finds himself homeless in a society that values hard work and determination but looks down upon those that are less fortunate. He works hard as a part of this society but is still frowned upon because of his lifestyle. In this society they call homeless people names like the following. "...you young vagabond." Luckily, for Dick there is a pivotal moment where his hard work pays off. He is greeted by a man named Frank who is able to teach him the proper ways of the world. Through his networking, hard work, and determination Ragged Dick is able to work his way up the ladder in society.
ReplyDeleteIn Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger, Jr, constructs the myth of American success as hard working, social networking and good character. In the novel, Dick encompasses the ideals of the myth, which allows him to rise above homelessness and achieve a better life. The myth of American success is portrayed much easier to achieve in Ragged Dick rather than in reality. Reality does not present the situations, people and the trust that are shown throughout the novel.
ReplyDelete-Avery and Georgia
Horatio Alger is out to break social norms. His fantastic Ragged Dick does not only break out of the social constraints set upon him, but also the social expectations. His character, a bootblack ragamuffin should in the average mind be a cheat and a thief. There are, in fact, several instances in the text where characters have accused him of being one or the other. Dick, however, is obsessed with the idea of honesty and honorably. He swears by saying 'honor bright' and keeps to his word as closely as possible.
ReplyDeleteAnother character that breaks the social norms is Mr. Whitney. He, as a rich successful man, should have nothing more than a shoe shine to do with boot blacks. Instead, he trusts the boy enough to allow him to show his own son around. He proceeds to furnish Dick with new clothes and invest in his young mind and spirit. This, too, is going against the social norms which would land him in a comfortable office, perhaps hiring a more conservative guide, and shrugging of Dick with no more thought than a flea.
Throughout the novel, Alger finds ways to prove stereotypes about the characters in all classes wrong and open the reader's eyes to the situations any specific member of the class may be in.
In the novel Ragged Dick, by Horatio Alger, Alger asserts that while any person is capable of improving his station in life, true success is only attained through honest work. Alger's protagonist, Ragged Dick, is a young, homeless boot black that prides himself on his integrity. Dick, in even his most desperate moments, refused to cheat or steal. There are many other characters in Alger's novel that will con people out of their money, and as a result, do not succeed like Dick. While those that steal may have immediate monetary gain, Dick's honest work brings a success full of personal satisfaction, knowledge, and friendships. This is illustrated through Dick's lasting relationships with Frank and Henry, Dick's positive transformation of his self-perception from "Ragged Dick" to "Richard Hunter, Esq" (132), and how every con man Dick crosses eventually falls.
ReplyDelete--Matt and Will
The main character of Alger Horatio’s book, Ragged Dick and Struggling Upward, needs a great assist from someone wise or well-experienced with life, in order to be successful character. The character need to be an honest and generous person himself in order to receive assistant. For our main character, Ragged Dick or Richard Hunter, he always had great experiences with the people he met, either from his customers or the people from the street (Frank and Mr. Whitney). His personalities were the great factor of his success in his life. He was a goalless fourteen year-old and easy-going boot-blacking kid, who would never, lied for harm, or steal for his own benefits, and he always willing to help others at any time before he met Frank and Mr. Whitney. And it was because of his personalities Mr. Whitney saw within him, to let Mr. Whitney decided to help him and be generous to him.
ReplyDeleteZhi Gan & Zeke Zheng