Realism in American Literature
The world is an ugly place full of corruption and evil people. However, if one possesses good morals, high principles, and a good work ethic, this person will overcome the obstacles of wrongdoings in the world to succeed in life. This is exactly what Dick Hunter does in the novel Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger. Written in 1868, Ragged Dick educates its readers about the American morals and principles of the mid-1800s. This novel illustrates the transition between the romantic-style literature of the pre-Civil War era and the realistic-style literature of the Gilded Age. Ragged Dick takes place in the mid-1800s in downtown New York City. The main character, named Richard Hunter, is a young bootblack who lives on the street. His customers and his fellow bootblacks know him by his street name of Ragged Dick. The nickname was acquired from his appearance of tattered clothes and a frequently unwashed body. The book begins with Dick waking up from a night’s sleep in a wooden box on the street. A stranger awakens Dick, and the reader gets the first glimpse into Dick’s moral and historical background. The stranger questions Dick about his home life, honesty, and financial practices. Dick sets the record straight in the first f
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1833
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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