A Close Reading of Ragged Dick :: Ragged Dick Essays

A Close Reading of rag asshole There were no houses of good appearance near it, buildings being limited mainly to lowbred temporary huts used by tamemen who were employed in improving it. The sentence will undoubtedly come when the Park will be contact by elegant residences, and comp be regardably in this respect with the closely attractive city in the world. But at the time when plain-spoken and Dick visited it, not often could be said in favor of either the Park or its neighborhood. If this is Central Park, said Frank, who naturally mat up disappointed, I dont think much of it. My fathers got a large pasture that is much nicer. Itll look better some time, said Dick. There aint much to condition now but rocks. We will take a walk everyplace it if you ask to. No, said Frank, Ive seen as much of it as I want to. Besides, I feel tired. (p. 48) In this changeover from Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger employs the ongoing wrench of Central Park as a metaphor for the transf ormation of Ragged Dick into the esteemed Richard Hunter, Esquire. The narrator informs the lector at the outset of this passage that when Dick and Frank atomic number 18 visiting the Park during its construction, there are no houses of good appearance near it significantly, the buildings that are there are only temporary. Central Park, like Ragged Dick, is simply a work-in-progress. Although outwardly it may appear rough and unpolished, as both the Park and Dick do to Frank, this situation is only transitory. Through diligent and honest work for Dick and workmen for the Park, a revolution will be completed, culminating in a respectable and elegant final product. The fact that Alger utilizes the word undoubtedly informs the reader that for both Dick and Central Park, self-improvement will assuredly be achieved through demanding effort, and this is designed to provide incentives and hope for the young reader. The passage as well as illuminates a dichotomy in Dicks and Franks per ception of the world.