The prominent message in Ragged Dick is one that is quite contrasting to the message we have seen over and over for young girls in society. Ragged Dick is a symbol of hope and perseverance. Frank constantly gives Dick positive reinforcement and serves as his mentor and encouragement coach. His advocacy for Dick’s success is apparent in the scene where Frank says, “There’s hope for you, Dick, if you’ll try” (394). This idea of work ethic and success having a linear relationship says a great deal about the evolution of American’s thinking patterns in the 19th century. The American people wanted to instill this novel theory into the minds of young boys in order to create an ambitious society. Frank tells the story of Dick Whittington who “was very poor when he was a boy, but he didn’t stay so” (392). He rose to become the Lord Mayor of London by having an honest work ethic and by making sacrifices (even of his only beloved possession- his kitten).
The idea of rising to greatness was not even breached in our readings of little girls in the 19th century. They were taught to be young ladies- obedient to authority and submissive in nature. Not only are the valued characteristics of young boys and young girls completely different, the attitude surrounding the two genders is also very different. Boys who rise to a respectable stature will become powerful men, while girls who comply will become nurturing wives. These ideals that were taught to young children at the time carried over into adulthood and shaped the family dynamics during that century.
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Overall I felt that your posting was really good and very inceitful. I like the idea you brought up of Dick being a symbol of hope and perseverance, which I believe he is. I also liked your easement of how ideals the literature taught young children carried over into adulthood and shaped family dynamics.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how everything was completely the opposite with girls back in the 19th century. It is true that girls were successful back then if they were submissive and "ladies" when today girls are empowered to be independent and ambitious just like the boys. It is kind of unfair how the story of Ragged Dick paints a completely different picture of the lives of boys compared to girls because girls had so many restrictions put on them and were always expected to be perfect little ladies.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how you discussed the idea that boys were expected to grow up to be great, while girls were expected to be submissive and take care of the house. That idea is really prominent in Ragged Dick, since Frank's whole purpose is telling Dick he can be respectful, and successful, he just has to try.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you pointed out the fact of how boys are expected to do great things. It really is a big deal in Ragged Dick, and we never saw that with little girls. I also like how you threw in the respect factor because I feel that is very important for little boys, and a very prominent idea in Ragged Dick also!
ReplyDeleteBoys in this time period were expected to do great things. The man was supposed to lead and support the family and without doing great things he was often not seen as successful. Girls were not expected to do this and I think that its great that you pointed that out
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post. It is weird how different the boys and girls are portrayed in the 19th century. I like how you mentioned that when talking about girls, not once did we hear that they were expected to work and make the income to provide for food/shelter/and eventually family like we have seen in Ragged Dick
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