In the other 19th century readings from Children’s Literature we have been dealing with little girls and their constant struggles and roles in society. In the story Ragged Dick, however, has introduced us to little boys. By comparing Dick to the other little girl characters, such as Ellen and Gerty, we are able to draw differences between the two.
We have seen that little boys tend to be more rebellious and mischievous, on that note, they always seem to get away with it too. "I am afraid he swore sometimes, and now and then he played tricks upon unsophisticated boys from the country, or gave a wrong direction to honest old gentlemen unused to the city"(367). Whereas little girls where always striving to be “good.” Little boys where also more self-relient unlike Ellen and Gerty who were extremely dependent on their guardians. In Capitola’s case she has to dress up like a little boy in order to fend for herself. That shows that little boys may have been a lot more respected.
Dick has no problem being self-reliant and living on his own. Unlike the little girls we see no type of parent figure in Dick’s life and he seems to be content about it. Humor is another difference we see between little boys and little girls. The little girl characters have not really shown much humor at all. In Ragged Dick we see Dick’s character with a very entertaining side to him. In speaking with one of his clients about his clothing Dicks says, comically, "This coat once belonged to General Washington" (337). The last difference I saw in little boys and girls was the importance of religion. We constantly saw Ellen and Gerty struggling with the Bible and the meaning of God in their lives, but in Ragged Dick we see no religious undertones at all. The one time the Bible was brought up Dick tells Frank, "I heard it's a good book, but I never read one. I isn’t much on reading. It makes my head ache"(387). Little girls in 19th century Children's Literature take on life much more seriously. They are always striving to be moral and good and please their elders. 19th century little boys, however, in a way "play" and "poke fun" at American society and all its seriousness.
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I think it's interesting how you pointed out that Dick had no parent figures in his life, yet he was still content. We see past girls in the stories we have read so far being really dependent upon adults. Even Capitola, who was seen as very independent in the beginning was saved by Old Hurricane and she started depending on him. I think this shows that girls can be independent but only so much until they realize they also have to depend on others because girls could not make it on their own in the 19th century.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement that Dick had no parents in his life but was still happy. In past stories with little girls, a guardian is the difference between happiness and sadness. If they did not have someone to show them how to make that toast their lives would not be complete!
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