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387 Prof.
Childs
Reading Guide for Horatio Alger.
Along with Benjamin Franklin, Sinclair Lewis (Babbitt, 1922), and perhaps Sloan Wilson (The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, 1955), Horatio Alger, Jr. has been a recognized chronicler of business values in American society. Writing over 100 novels by his death in 1899, Alger presented several generations of American school children with a prescription for being successful in life.
Until the 1980s, scholarly critics had branded the Horatio Alger novels as reflecting unabashed praise of and support for capitalism and as "metaphor(s) of economic success in America." In addition to the horrible writing style and unbelievable plot lines, critics chastised Alger's apparently naive belief that upward mobility was available to anyone who showed initiative, worked hard, and saved money.
In 1980, however, a scholar suggested that Alger held a moral purpose in writing his novels. Alger was not an apologist for Social Darwinism, nor was he exclusively concerned with "entrepreneurship." Rather, Gary Scharnhorst argued, Alger underscored in his stories the notion of "economy and charity"; Alger was more concerned with instilling in young minds an appreciation of beauty, happiness, and morality than he was in teaching them effective business methods.
As you read Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy, decide for yourself which of the two interpretations above fits these two novels. Of course, you may discover a third interpretation that blends the two or lays out an entirely new interpretation.
Below I have listed several themes that recur throughout Alger's writings, as well as several questions for the novel you will be reading. As you read, jot down events and personalities that reflect these themes and answer the questions. Then, relate your notes to the points above and to other course materials.
Rise to respectability and the search for identity
strength through adversity
beauty versus money
rural virtues versus urban vices
What is Alger's view toward price? Does he have a sense of a "just price"?
Is Alger "preaching" to his readers?
Alger endorses what values? What early American figure might have been Alger's model?
Note Alger's judgments about the character of the boys in his novel. Will all of them eventually reach the same level of success? Why?
Note the theme of chance and luck. Is there a case in which an Alger character reaches success without some sort of luck being involved?
As the course progresses
through the various stages of
As you read American Made, you might ask yourself if Whitney, McCormick, Carnegie, Ford, DuPont, et.al., followed all of Alger's values.
Mark, the Match Boy
In the past, I have paired Ragged Dick with Mark, the Match Boy. As this volume was too expensive this year, I assigned only the one novel. Were you to read Mark, the Match Boy, you would have discovered the following:
Ragged Dick became “Richard Hunter,” and, among other things, sold two lots for $5000 (having paid only $1000).
He is living with Henry Fosdick. Turns out that Hiram Bates owed Henry’s father $2000; he is willing to pay with interest to Henry. In addition, Bates is looking for his grandson, “John Talbot,” who became estranged from his daughter.
While returning on the ferry (from attending a lecture in Brooklyn), Dick and Fosdick put $1 into the vest pocket of Mark, the match boy (who pays 2 cents in order to sleep on the ferry, a trick he learned from Ben Gibson). Mark argues with Ben about misleading country boy (Ben charged 25 cents a shine, eventually accepting 23 cents); Mark argues that it is wrong to lie, something he had learned from his real mother. Alger believes in one-price system (charge same to all customers).
Mark moves from ferry to Newsboys’ Lodging House; saved $10 over a three month period.
Dick had helped Mickey Maguire (now known as “Michael”) get a job as an errand boy; together they discover Mark and help him back to Dick’s place to recuperate from an illness. He and Henry notice he is the boy on the ferry; Dick buys Mark books to read and he gets a job as an errand boy at Baker’s Store, where Roswell Crawford works; Roswell is not happy with only $6 a week at the bookstore. He forces Mark to do his job as well. Roswell learns from another how to steal money from the store (to make-up for low wage, even though Roswell notes that paying higher wages would be better).
Meanwhile, Dick teaches Sunday school and receives a promotion. And Roswell is enticed into a gang, paying the $5 initiation fee by stealing a bill from the till. (Alger prefers that young people join debating and mutual improvement clubs, not the Madison Club Roswell joined to drink whiskey and gamble.) Turns out that the $5 bill was a counterfeit. Roswell’s family moves to country side to take him away from the temptations of the city.
During an excursion to Fort Hamilton, Dick and Henry render aid to an overturned carriage. Passengers included Mr. Whitney and Frank.
Mark’s salary improves to $4 a week. He overhears Dick reading a letter from Mr. Bates, and the discovery is made that Mark is the missing … John Talbot.
Mark, of course, uses his good fortune to help others. He gives Mrs. Flanagan $100 every year. He will take Ben Gibson with him to Milwaukee. Dick and Bates give $1000 each to Newsboys and other charities.
Discussion.
Alger’s views toward business.
1) honesty in dealings
2) worker fidelity to employer
3) one price for all ... “fair price” or “just price”
4) avoid debt; pay cash
5) all customers entitled to respect
6) prosperous should be good stewards of wealth
Themes.
The Individual: the process of gaining respect
economic activity only path to status?
did all gain equal respect? why?
Society:
describe Alger’s “market” forces ...
note actions/values of individual in the market
self-interest only?
Other conflicts:
rural versus urban
Alger’s view toward manufacturing
mining; banks
institutions of social control:
Newsboys Lodging House; banks; police
Composite Alger society (summary)
contrast with individuals operating within industrial
world ... McCormick ... Carnegie ... Ford ... DuPont ...