Full Description
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.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Horatio Alger, Jr.: A Brief Chronology
A Note on the Text
Ragged Dick and Risen From the Ranks
Appendix A: Alger on Children and the Novel
"The Newsboys' Lodging House," Liberal Christian (20 April 1867)
From Christian Union (10 May 1883)
"Are My Boys Real?" Ladies' Home Journal (November 1890)
From "The Novel—Its Scope and Place in Literature," New York Railroad Men (March 1896)
"Writing Stories for Boys," Writer (March 1896)
Appendix B: Historical Documents on Children and the Success Myth
From Benjamin Franklin, "The Way to Wealth" (1758)
Mark Twain, "The Bootblacks," Alta California (14 July 1867)
Mark Twain, "The Late Benjamin Franklin," Galaxy (July 1870)
From Charles Loring Brace, The Dangerous Classes of New York (1872)
Appendix C: Alger's Critical Reception
Advertisements
New York Evening Post, 6 May 1868
Boston Journal, 6 August 1868
Boston Herald, 5 December 1868
Boston Transcript, 8 December 1868
Boston Transcript, 9 December 1868
Contemporary Reviews of Ragged Dick
Providence Press, 11 May 1868
Salem Register, 11 May 1868
"A Lively Boy's Book," Boston Traveller, 13 May 1868
"Current Literature," Advance, 21 May 1868
"Our Book Table," Turf, Field, and Farm, 23 May 1868
New York Herald, 28 May 1868
From "Literary Matters," Daily Cleveland Herald, 5 June 1868
From "Books for Boys, by Horatio Alger, Jr.," Flag of Our Union, 20 June 1868
"Ragged Dick," Christian Register, 27 June 1868
Putnam's Magazine 12 (July 1868)
Rufus Ellis, "Literary Notices," Monthly Religious Magazine 40 (July 1868)
"Library Table," Round Table, 11 July 1868
"Ragged Dick," Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine 77 (August 1868)
Contemporary Reviews of Risen from the Ranks
"Briefer Notices," Advance, 29 January 1874
"Literary Notices," St. Louis Republican, 17 October 1874
Alexandria, Va., Gazette, 22 October 1874
Vermont Phœnix, 23 October 1874
"Literary Matters," Daily Cleveland Herald, 29 October 1874
"Briefer Notices," Advance, 29 October 1874
Galveston, Texas, Daily News, 30 October 1874
"Literary Notices," Philadelphia North American and United States Gazette, 2 November 1874
"New Books, Charleston, S.C., News and Courier, 9 November 1874
"Recent Publications," Portland, Me., Daily Press, 30 November 1874
"New Publications," Arthur's Illustrated Home Magazine 42 (December 1874)
"Bound to Rise," Little Rock Daily Arkansas Gazette, 22 December 1874
"Editor's Table," Ohio Farmer, 2 January 1875
Appendix D: Early Alger Parodies
Charles Battell Loomis, "Bernard the Bartender," Puck (7 May 1894)
Stephen Crane, "A Self-Made Man: An Example of Success That Any One Can Follow," Cornhill Magazine (March 1899)
