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| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York Horatio Alger (Jr.), 1899 |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger Jr., 2021-11-24 This is a typical rags-to-riches story about a young boy growing to success through honorable behavior and hard work. The prominent personage is Ragged Dick, a fourteen-year-old bootblack who earns a living by cleaning shoes, and his only joy is smoking and occasional drinking. Yet, his main virtue is prudence. He won't steal at any occasion and dreams to succeed by earnest work. However, good strangers notice his determination to live a better life and help him either by paying an excellent salary to rent a room or offering him a job and clothing. Eventually, Dick quits drinking and smoking and grows into an honorable young gentleman. Hence, he calls himself Richard Hunter, Esq. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger Jr., 2023-06-28T18:56:53Z Dick Hunter is a shoeshiner working and living on the streets of New York City in the mid-19th century. Despite being dealt a bad hand, Dick attempts to extricate himself from his situation and become respectable. But it won’t be easy, thanks to the bullies, con men, and thieves that roam the city. Dick has to outmatch them with his wits, his work ethic, his honesty, and a bit of luck. Ragged Dick is Alger’s most well-known novel, and it sets the formula for the numerous subsequent rags-to-riches stories for which he became famous. It also introduces the “Alger hero,” a character archetype who rises out of poverty through cleverness and hard work, into the American literary canon. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2019-09-25 Reproduction of the original: Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York With the Boot-blacks Horatio Alger Jr. Horatio Alger Jr., 2016-11-10 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger Jr., which was serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867 and expanded for publication as a full-length novel in May 1868 by the publisher A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six-volume Ragged Dick Series and became Alger's best-selling work. The tale follows a poor bootblack's rise to middle-class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment, and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated in Alger's subsequent novels and became the subject of parodies and satires. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2005-09-13 “[Alger] was an utterly American artist . . . and the truth of his books is the truth of the power of the wish. . . . Alger was perhaps American capitalism’s greatest and most effective propagandist.”–Richard Wright Introduction by David K. Shipler Written to inspire schoolboys to strive for “honesty, industry, frugality, and a worthy ambition,” the novels of Horatio Alger (1832-99) are infused with great humanity, broad humor, and a surprisingly sophisticated view of Gilded Age propriety. Central to Alger’s philosophy is the notion that heroes like Ragged Dick, a poor boot-black, manage to get ahead by dint of hard work, resourcefulness, luck, pluck, and fair play. Alger’s upwardly mobile heroes have become paragons of middle-class comfort and moral standing, and their journeys from rags to respectability have long been viewed as the very embodiment of the American Dream. In this Modern Library Paperback Classic, the text of Ragged Dick is set from the first American book edition of 1868. Includes a Modern Library Reading Group Guide. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2016-07-29 Ragged Dick or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger... Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger Jr., which was serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867 and expanded for publicaton as a full-length novel in May 1868 by the publisher A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six-volume Ragged Dick Series and became Alger's best-selling work. The tale follows a poor bootblack's rise to middle-class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment, and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated in Alger's subsequent novels and became the subject of parodies and satires. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2004-06-01 It was a small apartment with a few plain tables unprovided with cloths, for the class of customers who patronized it were not very particular. Our hero's breakfast was soon before him. Neither the coffee nor the steak were as good as can be bought at Delmonico's; but then it is very doubtful whether, in the present state of his wardrobe, Dick would have been received at that aristocratic restaurant. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger Horatio Alger Jr, 2017-12-05 Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dicks Horatio Alger, 2012-12-17 Mr. Standfast is the third part of a trilogy which begins with The Thirty-Nine Steps and Greenmantle. In this nail-biting adventure story, Hannay must outwit a foe far more intelligent than himself; muster the courage to propose to the lovely, clever Mary Lamington; and survive a brutal war. Although Mr. Standfast is a sequel to The Thirty-Nine Steps, it offers far more characterisation and philosophy than the earlier book. For its pace and suspense, its changes of scenery and thrilling descriptions of the last great battles against the Germans, Mr Standfast offers everything that has made its author so enduringly popular. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Or, Street Life In New York With Boot-Blacks Horatio Alger, 2023-10-01 Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger: Step into the gritty streets of New York City as Horatio Alger presents a captivating tale of ambition, perseverance, and the American dream, following the journey of a young bootblack named Dick who rises from poverty to success through hard work and moral integrity. Key points: Rags to Riches Narrative: Experience the classic rags to riches storyline as Alger depicts the struggles and triumphs of Dick, a humble bootblack, who navigates the challenges of poverty and urban life to ultimately achieve social and financial success, offering a compelling narrative of hope, determination, and the power of self-improvement. Social Commentary: Explore the social dynamics and inequalities of 19th-century urban America as Alger sheds light on the harsh realities faced by impoverished children and the opportunities that arise for those who embody virtues such as honesty, perseverance, and a strong work ethic, highlighting themes of social mobility and the pursuit of the American dream. Moral Lessons: Encounter the moral lessons interwoven throughout the story as Alger emphasizes the importance of character, integrity, and making ethical choices, instilling valuable virtues and principles in readers, making it not only an engaging adventure but also a moral guide for young readers. Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger: Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks, penned by Horatio Alger, is a timeless and inspiring novel that portrays the journey of a young boy from poverty to success in the bustling streets of New York City. Through the captivating story of Dick Hunter, Alger offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by street children and the opportunities that can arise through hard work, determination, and integrity. As Dick navigates the trials and tribulations of urban life, readers witness his transformation from a ragged bootblack to a respected young man. Alger's narrative not only entertains but also instills important values of self-reliance, perseverance, and the belief in the American Dream. Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks is a compelling read that continues to resonate with audiences, reminding us that with grit and resilience, anyone can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick -Or- Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks Horatio Jr. Alger, 2018-04-03 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six volume Ragged Dick Series, and became Alger's all-time bestseller. The tale follows a poor boot black's rise to middle class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated virtually in toto in Alger's subsequent novels and became the grist for parodists and satirists. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 1989-09-01 Bonded Leather binding |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York Horatio Alger, Jr., 2011-02-01 |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2018-05-11 Horatio Alger's eye-opening tale of a boy's poverty and aspiration in late 19th century New York is presented here in hardcover. When it was first published in 1868, Ragged Dick was praised both for its respect to the gritty reality of poverty on the streets of 19th century New York, and for its qualities of characterisation which resonated with readers, particularly young boys. The author Horatio Alger was all too aware of his literary limits, but resolved to publish books which would inspire his readers to lead morally upstanding and prosperous lives underpinned by honest deeds. We join the titular character, a bootblack aged fourteen years, as he resolves to leave his life of poverty and degradation. Starting with giving up drinking and smoking, our young protagonist keeps his vow to never steal, which impresses some of his gentleman peers who are moved to help his cause. Ragged Dick begins to help at church, and uses his pay to move into his own apartment. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks Jr. Horatio Alger, 2021-05-27 Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks Jr. Horatio Alger |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks Annotated and Illustrated Edition Horatio Alger, Jr, 2021-03-29 Horatio Alger was an American writer and an author of more than one hundred books, most of which were written for young readers. His best known work is called Ragged Dick and was published in 1867. The plot of this book follows a formula made so popular by Horatio Alger that the phrase Horatio Alger story has entered the English language and is used to describe any person who rises from poverty to comfort as a result of his or her own hard work and honesty. The plot is simple: an adolescent boy or young man, forced by circumstances beyond his control to make his own way in life, gradually overcomes difficulties because of his honesty, work ethic, and occasional help from older men who recognize the hero's potential. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick and Struggling Upward Horatio Alger, 1985-01-08 From the 1860's through the 1890s, Horatio Alger wrote hundreds of novels to teach young boys the merits of honesty, hard work, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. As Carl Bode points out in his introduction, Horatio Alger filled a void in American literature and met scant competition both in the nature and the number of his works. Like his heroes, Alger rose to the top by chance, coincidence, and hard work. The hero of Ragged Dick is a veritable diamond in the rough—as innately virtuous as he is streetwise and cocky. Immediately popular with young readers, the novel also appealed to parents, who repsonded to its colorful espousal of the Protestant ethic. Struggling Upward, published nearly thirty years later, followed the same time-tested formulas, and despite critical indifference it, too, had mass appeal. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks Annotated Horatio Alger, Jr, 2020-12-14 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger Jr., which was serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867 and expanded for publication as a full-length novel in May 1868 by the publisher A. K. Loring. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick (Illustrated) Horatio Alger, 2015-06-28 Ragged Dick is Horatio Algerís most notorious short story that helped shaped American identity and shed light on the number and severity of boys living on the street in New York. Read about how Ragged Dick starts out as a street boy and bootblack and eventually pulls himself up by his bootstraps.Horatio Alger was once crowned America's bestselling author of all time. His works are back and they read like never before. E-books come alive with illustrations, commentary, author biography, study questions and more. You will fall in love with these stories of success! |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-blacks Horatio Alger (Jr.), 2005 Although he manages to make a living as a shoeshine boy in late-1860s New York City, fourteen-year-old Dick Hunter, an orphan, remains homeless and without many prospects until two new friends inspire him to become educated. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks (Annotated) Horatio Alger, 2020-03-20 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger Jr., which was serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867 and expanded for publication as a full-length novel in May 1868 by the publisher A. K. Loring. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks Horatio Alger, Jr, 2020-02-24 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring.... |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or Street Life in New York Horatio Alger, 2013-06-07 Ragged Dick; Or Street Life in New York is a work by Horatio Alger Jr. now brought to you in this new edition of the timeless classic. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Black Illustrated Horatio Alger, Jr., 2020-03-23 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six volume Ragged Dick Series, and became Alger's all-time bestseller. The tale follows a poor boot black's rise to middle class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated virtually in toto in Alger's subsequent novels and became the grist for parodists and satirists. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Or Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks Horatio Alger, 2008-10-01 Ragged Dick was contributed as a serial story to the pages of the Schoolmate, a well-known juvenile magazine, during the year 1867. While in course of publication, it was received with so many evidences of favor that it has been rewritten and considerably enlarged, and is now presented to the public as the first volume of a series intended to illustrate the life and experiences of the friendless and vagrant children who are now numbered by thousands in New York and other cities. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks Illustrated Horatio Alger, Jr, 2020-11-04 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six volume Ragged Dick Series, and became Alger's all-time bestseller. The tale follows a poor boot black's rise to middle class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated virtually in toto in Alger's subsequent novels and became the grist for parodists and satirists. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick; Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks Illustrated Horatio Alger, Jr, 2020-11-24 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six volume Ragged Dick Series, and became Alger's all-time bestseller. The tale follows a poor boot black's rise to middle class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated virtually in toto in Alger's subsequent novels and became the grist for parodists and satirists. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick and Mark the Matchboy Horatio Alger, 2012-01-22 High quality reprint of Ragged Dick And Mark The Matchboy by Horatio Alger. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Mark the Match Boy; Or, Richard Hunter's Ward Jr. Horatio Alger, 2023-01-14 Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward, has been regarded as significant work throughout human history, and in order to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to ensure its preservation by republishing this book in a contemporary format for both current and future generations. This entire book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not made from scanned copies, the text is readable and clear. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy Horagio Alger, 2009-03 Two famous novels by Horatio Alger that focus on rags-to-riches tales. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: New York Ric Burns, James Sanders, Lisa Ades, 2021-11-23 An expanded edition of the only comprehensive illustrated history of New York—with more than 600 ravishing photographs and illustrations—that tells the remarkable 400-year-long story of the city from its beginning in 1624 up to the current moment. The companion volume to the acclaimed PBS series. This landmark book traces the spectacular growth of New York from its initial settlement on the tip of Manhattan through the destruction wrought by the Revolutionary War to its rise as the nation’s premier commercial capital and industrial center and as a magnet for immigrant hopes and dreams in the 19th century to its standing as a beacon of modern culture in the 20th century and as a worldwide symbol of resilience in the 21st century. The story continues here with new chapters delivering a sweeping portrait of New York at the dawn of the 21st century, when it emerged after decades of decline to assert its place at the very center of a new globalized culture. Here is a city challenged—indeed, sometimes shaken to its core—by a series of profound crises: the aftermath of 9/11, the continual struggle with racial injustice, the financial crisis of 2008, the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, the still unfolding cataclysm of the COVID-19 pandemic—whose earliest and deadliest urban epicenter was New York itself. Here too is a lively portrait of the city’s vibrant street life and culture: the birth of hip-hop in the South Bronx, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Gates in Central Park, the musicals of Broadway, the explosion in location filmmaking in every borough, the pivotal rise of the tech industry, and so much more. The history of this city—especially in the tumultuous and transformative two decades detailed in the new chapters—is an epic story of rebirth and growth, an astonishing transfiguration, still in progress, of the world’s first modern city into a model and prototype for the global city of the future. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Whose Names Are Unknown Sanora Babb, 2012-11-20 Sanora Babb’s long-hidden novel Whose Names Are Unknown tells an intimate story of the High Plains farmers who fled drought dust storms during the Great Depression. Written with empathy for the farmers’ plight, this powerful narrative is based upon the author’s firsthand experience. This clear-eyed and unsentimental story centers on the fictional Dunne family as they struggle to survive and endure while never losing faith in themselves. In the Oklahoma Panhandle, Milt, Julia, their two little girls, and Milt’s father, Konkie, share a life of cramped circumstances in a one-room dugout with never enough to eat. Yet buried in the drudgery of their everyday life are aspirations, failed dreams, and fleeting moments of hope. The land is their dream. The Dunne family and the farmers around them fight desperately for the land they love, but the droughts of the thirties force them to abandon their fields. When they join the exodus to the irrigated valleys of California, they discover not the promised land, but an abusive labor system arrayed against destitute immigrants. The system labels all farmers like them as worthless “Okies” and earmarks them for beatings and worse when hardworking men and women, such as Milt and Julia, object to wages so low they can’t possibly feed their children. The informal communal relations these dryland farmers knew on the High Plains gradually coalesce into a shared determination to resist. Realizing that a unified community is their best hope for survival, the Dunnes join with their fellow workers and begin the struggle to improve migrant working conditions through democratic organization and collective protest. Babb wrote Whose Names are Unknown in the 1930s while working with refugee farmers in the Farm Security Administration (FSA) camps of California. Originally from the Oklahoma Panhandle are herself, Babb, who had first come to Los Angeles in 1929 as a journalist, joined FSA camp administrator Tom Collins in 1938 to help the uprooted farmers. As Lawrence R. Rodgers notes in his foreword, Babb submitted the manuscript for this book to Random House for consideration in 1939. Editor Bennett Cerf planned to publish this “exceptionally fine” novel but when John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath swept the nation, Cerf explained that the market could not support two books on the subject. Babb has since shared her manuscript with interested scholars who have deemed it a classic in its own right. In an era when the country was deeply divided on social legislation issues and millions drifted unemployed and homeless, Babb recorded the stories of the people she greatly respected, those “whose names are unknown.” In doing so, she returned to them their identities and dignity, and put a human face on economic disaster and social distress. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ben, the Luggage Boy Horatio Alger, 1870 Young Ben runs away from home after a conflict with his father and lives on the streets of New York City for years, but his mother still hopes to see him again. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks Horatio Alger, 2023-08-21 Ragged Dick: Dreams and Determination in the Heart of New York: Step into the bustling streets of New York City alongside Dick, as he rises from humble beginnings to prove that determination and grit can change the course of one's life. Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger: Step into the bustling streets of 19th-century New York City with Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger. This novel follows the journey of Dick Hunter, a poor and ambitious bootblack, as he navigates the challenges of urban life. Alger's narrative weaves a tale of determination, morality, and the pursuit of the American Dream in the face of adversity. Why This Book? Character Development: Alger's exploration of Dick's transformation from poverty to success offers a timeless story of personal growth and resilience, resonating with readers of all ages. Social Commentary: The novel addresses social mobility, ethics, and the impact of economic circumstances on individuals, sparking discussions about class and opportunity. Historical Insight: Gain insights into the urban environment and socio-economic conditions of 19th-century New York City, enhancing your understanding of this dynamic period. Moral Lessons: Alger's emphasis on honesty, hard work, and perseverance imparts valuable life lessons that remain relevant in today's world. Immerse yourself in the inspiring journey of Ragged Dick and explore the themes of personal growth and social mobility in the urban landscape of 19th-century America. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Skintight Joshua Harmon, 2021-04-02 Reeling from her ex-husband's engagement to a much younger woman, Jodi Isaac turns to her famous fashion-designer dad for support. Instead, she finds him wrapped up in his West Village townhouse with Trey. Who's twenty. And not necessarily gay. But probably an adult film star. At least, according to Jodi's son. Who's also twenty. And definitely gay. Skintight assays the nature of love, the power of attraction, and the ways in which a superficial culture persists in teaching its children that all that matters is what's on the inside. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick and Risen from the Ranks Horatio Alger Jr., 2017-05-25 In Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger’s most successful book, Alger codified the basic formula he would follow in nearly a hundred subsequent novels for boys: a young hero, inexperienced in the temptations of the city but morally armed to resist them, is unexpectedly forced to earn a livelihood. The hero’s exemplary struggle—to retain his virtue, to clear his name of accusations, and to gain economic independence—was the basis of the Alger plot. Hugely popular at the turn of the twentieth century, Alger’s works have at different times been framed as a model for the “American dream” and as dangerously exciting sensationalism for young readers; Gary Scharnhorst’s new introduction separates the myth of Alger as “success ideologue” from the more complex messages conveyed in his work. Ragged Dick is paired in this edition with Risen from the Ranks, another coming-of-age story of a young man achieving respectability. Historical appendices include extensive contemporary reviews, material on the “success myth” associated with Alger, and parodies of Alger’s work. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Or Street Life in New York Horatio Alger, 2016-08-03 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger, Jr. serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867, and released as a full length novel in May 1868 by A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six volume Ragged Dick Series, and became Alger's all-time bestseller. The tale follows a poor boot black's rise to middle class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated virtually in toto in Alger's subsequent novels and became the grist for parodists and satirists. Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982. Horatio Alger, Jr. (January 13, 1832 - July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many formulaic juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His writings were characterized by the rags-to-riches narrative, which had a formative effect on America during the Gilded Age. Alger's name is often invoked incorrectly as though he himself rose from rags to riches, but that arc applied to his characters, not to the author. Essentially, all of Alger's novels are the same: a young boy struggles through hard work to escape poverty. Critics, however, are quick to point out that it is not the hard work itself that rescues the boy from his fate, but rather some extraordinary act of bravery or honesty, which brings him into contact with a wealthy elder gentleman, who takes the boy in as a ward. The boy might return a large sum of money that was lost or rescue someone from an overturned carriage, bringing the boy--and his plight--to the attention of some wealthy individual. It has been suggested that this reflects Alger's own patronizing attitude to the boys he tried to help. |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Strive and Succeed, Or, The Progress of Walter Conrad Horatio Alger (Jr.), 1872 |
| ragged dick by horatio alger: Ragged Dick Horatio Alger, 2019-05-10 Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks is a Bildungsroman by Horatio Alger Jr., which was serialized in Student and Schoolmate in 1867 and expanded for publication as a full-length novel in May 1868 by the publisher A. K. Loring. It was the first volume in the six-volume Ragged Dick Series and became Alger's best-selling work. The tale follows a poor bootblack's rise to middle-class respectability in 19th-century New York City. It had a favorable reception. Student and Schoolmate reported their readers were delighted with the first installment, and Putnam's Magazine thought boys would love the novel. One modern scholar considers the story a puerile fantasy about class assimilation. The plot and theme were repeated in Alger's subsequent novels and became the subject of parodies and satires.Ragged Dick and Alger's Silas Snobden's Office Boy inspired the musical comedy Shine! in 1982.The text of Ragged Dick is based on the 1868 first book edition, annotated for student readers. Contexts begins by looking at Ragged Dick through the lenses of 1860s New York and Alger's own life there. Ragged Dick is a fourteen-year-old bootblack - he smokes, drinks occasionally, and sleeps on the streets - but he is anxious to turn over a new leaf, and try to grow up 'spectable. He won't steal under any circumstances, and many gentlemen who are impressed with this virtue (and his determination to succeed) offer their aid. Mr. Greyson, for example, invites him to church and Mr. Whitney gives him five dollars for performing a service. Dick uses the money to open a bank account and to rent his first apartment. He fattens his bank account by practicing frugality and is tutored by his roommate Fosdick in the three R's. When Dick rescues a drowning child, the grateful father rewards him with a new suit and a job in his mercantile firm. With this final event, Richard is cut off from the old vagabond life which he hoped never to resume and henceforth will call himself Richard Hunter, Esq. |
RAGGED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of RAGGED is roughly unkempt. How to use ragged in a sentence.
RAGGED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
RAGGED definition: 1. (of clothes) torn and not in good condition: 2. (of a person) untidy, dirty, and wearing old…. Learn more.
Ragged Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
RAGGED meaning: 1 : having an edge or surface that is not straight or even; 2 : in bad condition especially because of being torn
Ragged - definition of ragged by The Free Dictionary
Define ragged. ragged synonyms, ragged pronunciation, ragged translation, English dictionary definition of ragged. adj. 1. Tattered, frayed, or torn: ragged clothes. 2. Dressed in tattered or …
RAGGED definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
You can say that something is ragged when it is untidy or uneven. She could hear his ragged breathing, as if he had been running. O'Brien formed the men into a ragged line.
Ragged Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary
Shabby or torn from wear; tattered. A ragged shirt. Dressed in shabby or torn clothes. Shaggy; unkempt. Ragged hair. Uneven; rough; jagged. A ragged edge. Not finished; imperfect; …
ragged adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage …
having an outline, an edge or a surface that is not straight or even. not smooth or regular; not showing control or careful preparation. I could hear the sound of his ragged breathing. Their …
What does Ragged mean? - Definitions.net
Ragged generally refers to something that is old, worn out, frayed or rough-edged, often because of age or use. It can also describe something inconsistent, irregular or uneven.
ragged - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Dec 8, 2024 · ragged (comparative more ragged, superlative most ragged) In tatters, having the texture broken. There was a ragged noise of bleating from the flock penned in a corner of the …
Ragged - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Something that's ragged is starting to fall apart. When your favorite sweater is getting ragged, it's so worn that the sleeves are fraying. You'll often see ragged describing clothing or a person's …
RAGGED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of RAGGED is roughly unkempt. How to use ragged in a sentence.
RAGGED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
RAGGED definition: 1. (of clothes) torn and not in good condition: 2. (of a person) untidy, dirty, and wearing old…. Learn more.
Ragged Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
RAGGED meaning: 1 : having an edge or surface that is not straight or even; 2 : in bad condition especially because of being torn
Ragged - definition of ragged by The Free Dictionary
Define ragged. ragged synonyms, ragged pronunciation, ragged translation, English dictionary definition of ragged. adj. 1. Tattered, frayed, or torn: ragged clothes. 2. Dressed in tattered or …
RAGGED definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
You can say that something is ragged when it is untidy or uneven. She could hear his ragged breathing, as if he had been running. O'Brien formed the men into a ragged line.
Ragged Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary
Shabby or torn from wear; tattered. A ragged shirt. Dressed in shabby or torn clothes. Shaggy; unkempt. Ragged hair. Uneven; rough; jagged. A ragged edge. Not finished; imperfect; …
ragged adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage …
having an outline, an edge or a surface that is not straight or even. not smooth or regular; not showing control or careful preparation. I could hear the sound of his ragged breathing. Their …
What does Ragged mean? - Definitions.net
Ragged generally refers to something that is old, worn out, frayed or rough-edged, often because of age or use. It can also describe something inconsistent, irregular or uneven.
ragged - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Dec 8, 2024 · ragged (comparative more ragged, superlative most ragged) In tatters, having the texture broken. There was a ragged noise of bleating from the flock penned in a corner of the …
Ragged - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Something that's ragged is starting to fall apart. When your favorite sweater is getting ragged, it's so worn that the sleeves are fraying. You'll often see ragged describing clothing or a person's …
