The meaning of Horatio Alger today

I have decided for this week's post to focus on the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: http://www.horatioalger.org/index.cfm

This organisation was established in 1947 to 'dispel the mounting belief among the nation's youth that the American Dream was no longer attainable'. This implies that popular opinion at that time was that Alger's stories of boys, such as Richard Hunter, who start the story poor but thanks to their good morals and hard workl end up in a respectable position is a myth. Indeed, Alger's idea of the American Dream was discredited during the Great Depression and World War II.

However this organisation does give youth opportunities to follow their dreams through its scholarship programme. This is aimed to 'deserving young people who have demonstrated integrity and determination in overcoming adversity, academic potential, and the personal aspiration to make a unique contribution to society'. Therefore it is aimed at those who possess the same qualities as the heroes of Alger's stories: Dick, despite being a poor bootblack, shows academic potential (his street smart and quick wit) and this potential is fulfilled through studying every night, this shows his determination to become respectable.

As well as this, it aims to 'educate all youth about the limitless possibilities that are available through the American free enterprise system, while underscoring the importance of service to others'. This reinforces the ideas Alger puts across to his audience in Ragged Dick. To the young: grab opportunities offered by the Capitalist society of America; just like Ragged Dick and Henry Fosdick does in the story. To the adults: disadvantaged children (homeless and poor children in the case of Ragged Dick) need your help; just like Mr Greyson and Mr Whitney help the boys in Ragged Dick. This idea of adults helping disadvantaged children is further demonstarted in the association in the form of the Horatio Alger Award; this is given to those who show 'a strong commitment to assisting those less fortunate than themselves and be willing to contribute to the mission of providing scholarships for younger generations'.

Overall the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans rewards those who worked hard and are deserving of achieving their dream, while also rewarding those who give charity and help those previously mentioned to acheive the American Dream. This reinforces Alger's idea that in order for Capitalism and the American Dream to work it needs to be moral and there needs to be charity; therefore I feel that the organisation is very accurate in relation Ragged Dick.