Ragged Dick

Alger champions a democratic versus an aristocratic attitude to emphasize the benefits of a society without a rigid class system. In a democratic society, a self-made man can rise on the basis of his own merit, rather than ancestral inheritance. Dick is described as a “thorough democrat, using the word not politically, but in its proper sense, and was disposed to fraternize with all whom he styled ‘good fellows,’ without regard to their position” (122). Roswell Crawford is described as a “young aristocrat” (159) in attitude, “rather supercilious-looking […] genteelly dressed, and evidently having a very high opinion of his dress and himself” (158). As a gentleman’s son, Roswell refused to do the “dirty work” of making a fire at his previous place of employment. Roswell does not believe that bootblacks should be allowed to rise in life and apply for better jobs. Roswell contemptuously views bootblacks as his inferiors. Roswell is enraged when Henry, a bootblack, gets hired for a position instead of a gentleman’s son. Alger portrays Roswell’s aristocratic attitude as the wrong one. He is a villain and foil to Henry, who is humble, and Dick, who is enterprising but compassionate.