"Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a tale set in 19th-century New York City, spotlighting Dick, a resourceful boot-black, and his efforts to survive the streets. The novel paints a portrait of the tough lives children living on the margins experience, hoping to stir empathy in the reader. Right away, Dick faces the everyday challenges of having no home by sleeping wherever he can. We are introduced to Dick's moral code when he is asked about how he supports himself financially. The story follows him meeting people, shining shoes, and trading friendly insults with those he meets as he works towards his goals but also deals with temptation. The beginning shows us Dick's world, including his challenges, his friendships, and his dreams for a better future.
Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks
By Horatio Alger
Amidst the grit of 19th-century New York, a young boot-black strives for a better life, armed with wit and an unwavering moral compass.
Summary
About the AuthorHoratio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.
Horatio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.
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