Herbert's Coming Of Age In 'Do And Dare'

Do and Dare tells the story of a strong young man whom is coming of age, due to his father's passing. The protagonist, Herbert Carr, has to step up and become the head of the house. He does this by helping his mother out and defending her against The squire and Mr. Graham. Horatio Alger JR., explains Herbert's recent tragedies to create an emotional tie to the reader through the use of strong characterization and by creating a centralized theme of a young man coming of age at an advanced time.
Mr. Carr’s death impacted Herbert’s life and his family in many negative ways. Herbert's mother has been working Mr. Carr’s job as a postmaster since his passing and all of the village people agreed with her filling his position, except for Mr. Graham. He wanted to take the postmaster job away from their family because “but I am opposed upon principle to conferring offices upon women” (Horatio Alger). Therefore

the Carr family would lose their source of income and with his father's income of only four-hundred dollars a year, “There was not much chance to save money” (Alger). Herbert will no longer have his father in his life to help him develop into a mature young man. Since his father has passed, he will be forced to surrender the remaining amount of his childhood. Herbert does this by asking questions about their financial situations, “What was the income last year?”(Alger). Also by worrying about who the postmaster will be when his mother is forced to give it up. “But I am afraid there will be more than one who will be willing to relieve me of my duties”(Alger). Stated Mrs. Carr when her son thought she would be able to keep the job because no one wanted the job of a postmaster.
The author uses the death of Herbert's father to construct emotional ties with the reader. Numerous children have had a parent perish or depart from them at a young age, which makes the theme relate able to an average person.“Herbert’s father, after returning from the war with the loss of an arm… until a fever terminated his earthly career at middle age”(Alger). This quote is another way Horatio Alger JR. created emotional ties with the reader, by having Herbert’s character step up and be the man of this house after his father comes home hurt from war and after his passing. Young adults have emotional ties with this because they have either seen or experienced having to step up and help out around their household.
The various characters that the author uses in the story to make Herbert grow up quicker is The Squire and Mr.

Graham. He does this by composing advanced level conversations between Herbert and the adults. The squire assisted in Herbert’s maturing, through their conversation about who is going to take his father's job and why his mother is losing it. “No, sir, I am aware of that; but the postmaster general will be influenced by the recommendations of people in the village”(Alger). This quote shows Herbert stepping up and trying to convince the squire that his mother knows how to do this job and that if the village people are for her keeping the job then he should allow her to also. Mr. Graham made Herbert mature quicker because he made Herbert realize that “He is about the meanest man in town”(Alger). Herbert now sees that not all people care and want to help others like his father did. He disagrees with the fact that his father went to war for Mr. Graham and now he is returning the favor by taking over the post office due to his “... means to be a rich

man”(Alger).
In conclusion Horatio Alger JR. uses Herbert's father's death to display a family going through a rough patch in life to make it relate able to the reader. Various characters within the story make Herbert develop and become a young man in different ways. He was affected by everyone he met and associated with, especially his father. This applies to everyone's life as they are changed by the people they associate with. The emotional ties are made through the theme and characterization Horatio revealed through Herbert's actions, words, and thoughts.