Ragged Dick by Alger Horatio Book Review

Max Weber’s thoughts regarding the role asceticism plays in the spirit of capitalism, appear to be similar to Horatio Alger’s interpretation of success. Alger captures the impact asceticism can have through his main character ,Dick, who is able to overcome obstacles and transform his life by being consistent, seeking an education, and refraining from worldly pleasures. 

Alger’s, Ragged Dick, depicts a classic “rags to riches” story of a young, poor boy living in New York City. From the start, Alger illustrates that our main character, Dick, does not have much going for him; Dick is described as appearing physically tattered- in essentially every way and is living a very sparse lifestyle. When it comes to making money, Dick spends his days strolling the streets advertising his shoe shining services. Although it is apparent Dick is living in less than conditions, the narrator highlights that it is his virtuous character that makes him unique. 

In Max Weber’s ,“The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism”, he discusses the role that the religious institutions have played in the development of what he refers to as “the spirit of capitalism”. Specifically, Weber highlights the idea of asceticism; a concept that ultimately translates to extreme self discipline. When analyzing Weber’s thoughts on asceticism, it is important to recognize he is exploring this concept in wake of  the Protestant ascendency occurring at the time.

Weber notes that the Proestant Ethic could be best explained and exemplified through Benjamin Franklin’s writings. Franklin is most noted for being a founding father and philosopher, but Weber focuses on the influence the Protestant doctrine had on his beliefs regarding the capitalist spirit in America. In his writings, Franklin gave moral instructions on how he believed all people should live. For example, he discussed the benefits attached to writing out one's daily routine and keeping weekly progress charts. Franklin believed that these progress charts were a great way to monitor how one was doing with his or her moral obligations. This “morality chart” is better known as the 13 virtues; temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality are just a few that Weber mentions being a part of Franklin’s list. Although some might view this as being absurd and outlandish, Benjamin Franklin believed that the benefits of practicing this strict regimen were worth the hassle. Ultimately, Franklin concluded that by living life in this manner, one will be more efficient, productive, and possess an honorable and virtuous character. 

As a result of these Protestant ideologies and beliefs, Weber concludes acestism to be a key factor to defining the capitalist spirit. Ascestim can best be exemplified by thinking of the life of a monk. Monks pledge their lives to being a part of a community that commits to living a life without worldly pleasures- specifically those pertaining to chasity and devotion to God.

 In regards to Ragged Dick, it can be inferred from the story that Dick has experienced his fair share of worldly pleasures; “...I ought i've been up an hour ago. I know what ‘twas made me so precious sleepy. I went to the Old Bowery last night, and didn’t turn in till past twelve” (Alger, 5). The bowery, as Dick references, is a city district in New York City that is filled with poor-quality bars. Throughout the novel, Dick’s wordly practices like spending his money at the bowery and buying cigars begin to change. This change begins when Dick is given the opportunity to spend the day showing around a stranger to the city. 

Dick jumps on an opportunity to escort a boy visiting the city named Frank. Dick is given the opportunity in the first place because Mr. Whitney, Frank’s uncle, decided that he “looked honest” (Alger, 17). As the boys explore the city, it becomes apparent that the two share a very strong bond and grow fond of each other. As they continue to venture the streets of New York, Frank strikes up a conversation around the way Dick’s life would change if he were to become educated. 

Throughout the book, Dick becomes more and more interested in learning to read to write. It starts out when he goes to the bank to deposit a check and is struggling to sign his name in the deposit book. At this moment, Dick seems to be embarrassed for not knowing how to read and write.

Dick encounters his friend Henry Fosdick and the two make a deal; Dick will allow Henry to stay with him if in exchange he agrees to be his tutor. “Then I’ll tell you what,” said Dick, “I’ll make a bargain with you. I can’t read much more’n a pig and my writin' looks like hen’s tracks. I don’t want to grow up knowin’ no more’n a four year old boy. If you’ll teach me readin’ and writin’ evenin’s, you shall sleep in my room every night” (Alger, 72). 

In chapter 20 of the book, Alger states that after 9 months, Dick has been able to save more than $100. Henry, Dick’s tutor and room-mate, also mentions that he is progressing at such a fast rate, in his educational studies, that he will soon need a more educated tutor. This is exactly what Weber is explaining when denoting asceticism, in The Protestant Ethic and Capitalist Spirit. “The emphasis on the ascetic importance of a fixed calling provided an ethical justification of the modern specialized division of labour. In a similar way the providential interpretation of profit-making justified the activities of the business man” ( Weber, 109). When comparing the way Dick was living at the beginning of the story, it is evident that he has applied some serious self discipline in order to get himself to this point. Although Dick does not seem to be entirely too concerned with the spiritual aspect, when it comes to being consistent with shifting his lifestyle, from the beginning it's Dick’s moral compass that makes him stand out. 

As the story comes to a close, Dick is in communication with Frank and he writes a letter to him informing him about Henry, his new education, and the money he has acquired from being disciplined. If Frank had refrained from encouraging Dick to pursue an education, the chances that he would have turned his life around are slim. Weber discusses how wealth is only considered to be a bad thing, if you are using it for the wrong reasons. In chapter 5, part 2 Weber says, “ Wealth is thus bad ethically only [as] a temptation to idleness and sinful enjoyment of life” (Weber, 108). Perhaps this ideology, pertaining to autism,  is part of the reason why Dick chooses to take on heroic roles throughout the story. 

Near the very end of the book, for example, Dick is riding the ferry with Henry when a boy falls into the water. Dick chooses to jump in and rescue the boy almost instinctively. The boy's father, Mr. Rockwell, ask's Dick to meet him at his counting room- he works at a bank- in order to discuss how he might be able to repay him for saving his son. The next day when they meet, Dick expresses his desire to work in a counting room but he can’t find a job opportunity. It is in this moment that Dick is offered a job by Mr. Rockwell as the clerk in his counting room. 

Weber’s idea of Autism has seemed to do wonders for the once “ragged” Dick. Dick has gone from being homeless and struggling to feed himself to making $10 a week as a clerk. None of this would have been possible if Dick didn’t commit to being disciplined in his studies, in his savings, and abstaining from his old secular habits.