Hard Work And Morality In Ragged Dick By Patrick Alger

Luke Duffey
Dr. Santalucia
Introduction to Literature
October 20, 2014

Hard Work and Morality in Ragged Dick
Is hard work necessary? And is there any value of being morally good? Through Ragged Dick, Alger answers these questions. In the novel, Alger presents two thematic messages which also serve to be the main character’s secrets of success; these two qualities are hard work ethics and a positive moral attitude. Dick, who is the main character in the novel, is able to attain respectability as well as advance his social status from just a lower class boot-black to an honorable businessman due to these two virtues.
Dick’s incredibly hard work ethic and his ethical outlook on life are clearly manifested in the first chapter of the story.

As the story begins, Dick’s economic status is depicted and is referred to be in the boot-blacking business. Initially, Dick Hunter wasn’t very responsible and was quite the mischievous young man. “Our ragged hero wasn't a model boy in all respects. I am afraid he swore sometimes and now and then he played tricks upon unsophisticated boys from the country or gave a wrong direction to honest old gentlemen unused to the city (Alger 6-7).” This, as well as his inability to be responsible with his money and his tendency to waste away his evenings with drinking, smoking and gambling, didn’t seem to promising for our young hero. Nevertheless, Dick took his occupation very seriously and did his best to make an honest living. The author notes that, “Dick was energetic and on the alert for business... the consequence was that Dick earned probably three times as much as (Johnny)" (Alger 10). In addition, Alger also mentions that Dick was incredibly thorough and meticulous, this leading to customers returning due to the consistent impressive boot-blacking services. Notably, in 1860’s, when the labor regulations and unions had taken over, most Americans spent their life working hard, and Alger shows this through the remarkable work ethic and positive attitude Dick displays during his times shining shoes in the streets of New York City. By performing his job well, through hard work, fervor and pride, Dick Hunter strived to increase his position in society and become a more respectable public figure.
Similarly, Alger also places a lot of emphasis on the upward mobility. Actually, from the novel, it is clear that all enterprises are worthy undertaking and through hard work, one can move to spectacular levels. Mr. Whitney, a respectable man as Alger presents him, advises Dick, telling him that all labor is respectable, and has no reason to be ashamed of any honest business. He tells Dick to remember “that your future position depends mainly upon yourself, and that is will be high or low as you choose to make it.” According to Alger, the main issue is not the type of work, rather it is the approach to work, and hence one should seek to be honest in any type of work so as to achieve success.
Ragged Dick makes clear the importance of moral fortune.

Alger illustrates that Dick is not a perfect man, but when compared to other characters of the novel such as Maguire, Dick appears to be a saint. Nevertheless, throughout the novel Dick would prove time and again that he is aware of the difference between what is right and what is wrong. There are probably a dozen examples of this moral awareness in Ragged Dick. The first example being when Mr. Greyson only had 25 cents to give our hero when Dick had no change. Richard Hunter wasn’t the type of young man to take the change from this man, and eventually returned to Mr. Greyson’s office to return the money which was owed. This mindset is viewed by other individuals who choose to assist Dick in his path to respectability and give him advice that contributes to the success that Richard Hunter ultimately falls

into.
Upon meeting him, Frank appreciates Dicks due to his good morals and notes that Dick began in the right direction when he determined never to steal, or do anything mean or dishonorable.

Despite the fact that Alger does not illustrate this explicitly, the reality behind the story was corruption, which was evident in 1860’s in New York City. Similarly, Alger does not dwell on the vices that were occurring in New York at the time; however, he presents the opposite of this in Dick, and shows how Dick faces massive opposition with regard to the dishonorable state of the city. Dick however was able to navigate through the deplorable state by employing tactics that help him to safeguard his morals against being degraded by the world and finally is able to sail through. During this time, Frank also gives a story of how a young teacher who was well known for his hard work and strong work ethics later emerges to become a successful businessman. Later the young teacher turned businessman promises to always maintain his good morals and avoid any dishonorable acts in all his dealings. This story was aimed at inspiring Dick to maintain his good

nature.
Dick rise to respectability is well represented. This is despite the fact that Alger claims that the novel is not about rags to riches, but rags to respectability. It is worth pointing out that Alger also shows that a good attitude as well as hard work is necessary in one’s quest to achieve respectability. For instance, Dick himself shows clear indication and intention to change his way of life to become a respectable member of society. This intention also marks deliberate purpose on the side of Dick to work hard to gain the position he strives to be in. These indications also attract other people towards Dick’s path to success. For instance, Mr. Whitney replaces Dick’s suit with a neat one to signal the beginning of a new era in the life of Dick, and a transformation from ragged Dick to Richard Hunter. Although, Dick does not achieve high salary, he however, reaches a status of respectability after he is ultimately rewarded with a clerical position.
Inherently, although hard work and a positive moral attitude will help a person achieve success, Alger shows the tremendous strokes of luck which benefit Dick’s success in the novel. Dick would, for a number of times, become a recipient of favor from another person who is better off than him. One can say that he was at the right place at the right time, but Dick has done several worthy deeds that warrant him the positive advice and attention that he received from these men. This is apparent when, in the story, Dick didn’t think twice to jump into the ocean to save a young boy from drowning. This set him up with a man who also aided in his success. However, in the real world, one cannot just depend on such luck to achieve success. One would say that dependence on such form of generosity and lick throughout one’s life for future success would not usually warrant positive results. Moreover, rising to respectability indicates inaccuracy of the widespread opinion in the world on the way heroes rise from rags to riches.
Ragged Dick is a story of hope that is written to make the readers fly away from the harsh reality as well as encourage a good message of working hard and maintaining good morals. Taking the novel literally can, however, lead to a number of disappointment and subsequent pain. Nevertheless, the novel provides wonderful lessons which can be crucial in one’s life.

Works Cited
Alger, Horatio, Michael Meyer, and Brian Waterman. Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York with Boot Blacks. W.W. Norton & Company. Print.