The American Dream In Burley's Ragged Dick

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The American Dream “the widespread belief that, by hard work and individual enterprise, even the most poor and lowly Americans can achieve economic success, a better way of life and enhanced social status in a land of immense opportunity (Watts).” Ragged Dick is really about rising from rags to respectable not rags to riches. I view that Dick is an exceptional character showing that true grit to get what he wants even if its almost out of reach, which shows “The American dream” is something you have to work for. Dick has all the qualities of someone who could achieve his goals with hard work. Dick is a young man who has lived on his own for years, meeting Mr. Whitney changed how Dick viewed people and life. How could a man Dick did not even…show more content…
Dick though he doesn’t have much money still buys Johnny food not really knowing him that well. Dick soon decides that Johnny should stay with him even though he is unable to pay for lodging. Johnny a smart boy helps Dick learn how to read and write in exchange for a bed, which I consider to show how Dick uses his resources to become a better person and achieve “The American Dream.” Now that Dick has an actual good amount a money he opens up a checking account something that meant you had money and it needed to be kept. Dick decided he was going to become a “New Man” which really was a way to say he was going to save his money like a grown up and make smarter decisions. Soon Dick had the dream he worked, had a “home”, and family which really only included Johnny. Dick was starting to have a life that any young man would be envious of and that was being able to provide for himself, and still be able to improve. Soon Dick met Henry Fosdick a man that saw an honest man in Dick. Henry decided it would be a good idea to invite Dick and Johnny to Sunday school. This point in the book is where Dick has the realization that his hard work is paying of and he is closer to “The American Dream.” Going back to the definition you find that Dick is showing that he is achieving personal

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