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All myths have origins in what someone once deemed as the truth. They are usually dubbed myths after many years of either cultural change or intellectual change. Horatio Algers tale of Ragged Dick was very popular during its time and many people accepted his step by step method to success through hard work. However, most people today would agree success is not as easy to obtain as Alger describes. In fact, some describe Ragged Dick as socially destructive. Harlon Dalton, as an example, argues that Algers tale is actually destructive to American culture. Dalton asserts that the myth ignores race and thereby makes assumptions that are not true in todays society where minorities do not have the same opportunities as the majority. Unfortunately, Dalton is ignoring the underlying moral of Ragged Dick and is simply attacking what makes the story a myth. Ragged Dick is indeed a myth, but its message to the reader is one of the fruits that result from hard, honest work.
Daltons main argument is that Algers three basic messages are counterproductive to American Culture. He describes the …three basic messages (1) each of us is judged solely on her or his own merits; () we each have a fair opportunity to develop those merits; and () ultimately, merit will out. (0). Dalton then describes how different races are judged differently and the minority races are not only prejudiced against, but suppressed so that they do not have the same opportunities that white people do. This paper will not debate whether or not Daltons assertions of race are true, but Dalton does a relatively nice job of proving these messages are found in Ragged Dick. Unfortunately, it makes no difference whether Dalton is right or not. This paper will assume Dalton is correct about the three messages, but it makes no difference. Indeed, the falsity of these messages about personal merits proves Ragged Dick to be a myth. I agree that the tale is a myth in that no misfortunate kid on the street can have the stroke of luck Dick encounters simply because he is an honest, hard working child, but Daltons misconception lies in his ignoring the essential message from Algers tale.
If one ignores questions of race, gender, and political propriety from Ragged Dick, one simple overlapping message is clear throughout the entire novel. Hard, honest work will advance you in society, financially and personally. By financially, this means you will gain more money, increasing your general financial assets. By personal gains in society, this means hard, honest work will earn respect not only from others, but from yoursel f as well, living happier. Dalton ignores this message and focuses on minor messages of merit and whatnot. True, hard, honest work will not earn success for everyone as described exactly above, but this is what makes the story of Dick a myth. Dick literally goes from rags to riches simply because he is honest and works hard. Obviously, this is not going to happen to many people.
However, just because the extreme result will not occur does not make Algers novel harmful to society. Dalton asks (with obvious sarcasm), Does anyone, for example, honestly believe that any Supreme Court justice in recent memory was nominated solely on the basis of merit (however defined)? (). He is making the assertion that Algers idealistic world does not apply to todays reality. Indeed it does not, but what is wrong with bringing a little idealism into todays society? Dalton says this is harmful, but even he partially concedes, admitting …it can help to pull people in the direction they want to go (). However, once Dalton concedes this fact, he does not pursue its ramifications on his argument of Alger being destructive but instead goes on to his next objection.
Dalton continues in saying that Alger attempts to maintain the order of races in American society. Algers myth serves to maintain the racial pecking order (). He continues in asserting that The Alger myth encourages people to blink at the many barriers to racial equality… (). This statement is incorrect because people do not take the story for face value, they realize it is a myth and too idealistic. When the reader reads the scene in which Dick …no sooner saw the boy fall [in the water] than he resolved to rescue him (08), Dicks race is not called into question! If everyone acted as honestly and selflessly as Dick, what a wonderful society we would live in. But somehow Dalton sees this as harmful to society and strives to convince the reader Dicks selflessness encourages racism. Dalton ignores the one message of honesty, selflessness, and hard work by making general, mostly politically correct statements about Ragged Dick and applying them against American culture. Finally, Dalton ends his argument with a concluding criticism of Algers novel. Dalton believes Alger is saying …we live in a land of unlimited potential, but Dalton contradicts Alger, believing …we live today in an era of diminished possibilities (5). Again, Dalton is correct, but he is only re-affirming the fact that Ragged Dick is a myth, something most people agree on. True, the possibilities and the American Dream is not as prevalent as it may have been years ago, but this does not diminish Algers message. Dick lives his life working hard and honestly, selflessly giving to others. Sure, the results of his work may be extreme, but this does not lessen the good message Alger is portraying to his reader.
Horatio Algers Ragged Dick is the story of a young boy struggling to reach the top, obtaining riches through hard work and his selflessness toward others. Dalton argues that the novel is detrimental to society, but he is simply arguing over Alger vs. reality. Algers novel is indeed a myth in that Dick would need a lot of luck in reality to go from rags to riches as he does. However, Dicks good spirit, honesty, and selflessness are characteristics we all should strive to have. Dalton is ignoring these wonderful characteristics by putting Ragged Dick in politically correct terms. Forget the race issues; it is a tale, a myth, of hard work and decency in which a young boy is greatly rewarded for his kindness. There is nothing threatening society in a myth like that.
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