Ragged Dick

I have enjoyed reading Ragged Dick, it has been on of my favorite novels that we have to read. After reading Ragged Dick, it is evident that there are several differences between the other novels we have read this semesters. One of the main difference that we see being protrayed between little boy and little girls is that the little girls in our past readings were taught and instructed that they need to behave well and learn how to do chores around the house in order for them to be seen as proper young ladies. While in the other hand in Ragged Dick it is never seen in the reading where Dick is being told to behave well and be a good little boy. Even though the narrator does lets us know that Dick is a good boy. "He would not steal, or cheat, or impose upon younger boys, but was frank and staight-forward, manly and self-reliant. His nature was a noble on," (pg 258). As can be ssen Dick is a good hearted kid but even as a good kid Dick can be a bit mischevious. Dick lies, drinks and smokes. (pg.256) Compared to the little girls in other novels that would have never been seen and if they did they would have been probably punished. Another comparison that I can make is that in the novels with the little girls it was important for them to know about God and the bible. It almost seemed that if they did not know about the bible, they were bad and were encouraged to read it. Whereas in Ragged Dick, Dick mentions that he has never has never read the bible and that reading gives him a headache (pg. 303). This shows that in the text religion is not a big part of Dicks life and it is ok. I think that as we continue reading stories with young boys we will see many new things that were not present in the novels that included young girls. I think that fictional representation of young boys is that they are independent, they are shown by the text that unlike little girls they do not need the guidance of an older adult in there life. Boys are shown as stronger, smarter and with the ability of being able to do pretty much whatever they want. After reading Dick, I also think that novels with boys are not going to end with a happily married couple instead we will most likely just see the boy succeed in life. Overall I think we will be seeing boys througout the novels accomplishing good things and gaining success up the social ladder.