Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger Jr.

The book “Ragged Dick” is a book everyone should read. It shows what hard work and perseverance can turn into—even for a boot-black street boy. The main character in the book, Ragged Dick, is a homeless orphan boy of New York in 1860 who supports himself by blackening boots on the streets for 10 cents a shine (remember this is taking place in the 1860’s). Ragged Dick signifies how generosity, honesty, and hard work can lead anyone to great opportunities, and connect us with the right people that will also help in achieving our success in life. In the world we live in today, we learn how hard it is to get a high paying job and how a degree can help us acquire a promising career; Ragged Dick shows us how being patient, sticking with right morals and honest work will guide us to a successful path. Although we can expect a harsh road ahead, with consistency and perseverance, we will get to a fruitful destination. As you read the book, you will notice the pattern Alger created through his characters. Each character has some qualities that most want to live by, but like any human has flaws of their own.  Alger creates this contrast to exhibit how the good qualities benefit each character and how their inadequacies may set them back. By producing this comparison, Alger’s younger audience can easily notice and strive to obtain every exceptional quality they perceive in a character. 9/10!