he Horatio Alger Theme in Adolescent Novels about the Immigrant Experi - PDF document

ALAN REVIEW 11 he Horatio Alger Theme in Adolescent Novels about the Immigrant ExperienceÒOnly fools laugh at Horatio Alger, and his poor boys whomake good. The wiser man who thinks twice about thatsterling author will realize that Alger is to America whatHomer was to the Greeks.Ó (Nathanael West and BorisIngster, 1940)n 1867 Horatio AlgerÕs story of Ragged Dick beganas a twelve-part serial in the magazineentually published it as his first novel. lger wenton to write over one hundred novels in the secondorked out in . While he never achievedthe literary fame he sought, his stories struck a chordin the dreams of the American people. EdwardStratemeyer, who started an influential syndicate ofchildrenÕs series books in 1883, read AlgerÕs novels asa young boy and set out to write similar stories whichcontinue to be highly popular even today (Johnson33). E.D. Hirsch included Horatio Alger in his 1987 listof ideas that form part of our cultural heritage inCultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to, and the Òrags to richesÓ theme shows no sign oflosing its attraction. Like an archetypal fairy tale,AlgerÕs story of how a poor boy can move from thefringes to become a respected member of society liveson in contemporary young adult stories depicting thestruggles of immigrants to the United States. ThisÒrags to richesÓ theme provides the basic plot andcharacter motivation in two recent young adult novels,Breaking Through, by Francisco JimŽnez (2001) and by Lu Chi Fa (2001).into a hero who became the prototype for the hun-dreds of heroes Alger created in the next thirty years.The novel covers the heroÕs transformation from aagged, homeless boy of the streets to a respectableclerk with a salary of ten dollars per week. DickÕsfortunes improve because he follows advice, workshard to acquire an education, and takes advantage ofery opportunity. He also has the essential prerequi-site to successÑgood character. The narrator describesHe was above doing anything mean or dishonorable. Heould not steal, or cheat, or impose upon younger boys,but was frank and straight-forward, manly and self-reliant.His nature was a noble one and had saved him from allDick puts the welfare of others ahead of himself.He helps other homeless boys like Johnny Nolan, whodoesnÕt have enough money for food; Henry Fosdick,who needs lodging and clothing; and Tom Wilkins andhis mother, who are being evicted.In addition to his virtue, Dick has Òa frank,straight-forward mannerÓ (40) that leads people totrust him despite his shabby appearance. Such trusthelps him get shoe-shine customers as well as otheropportunities. For example, a gentleman asks him toguide his nephew around the city for a day because helikes DickÕs honest looks (57). His wit and ability tolaugh at himself and his circumstances also put people d11-15_TAR_Summer049/3/04, 9:27 AM11 ALAN REVIEW Character and Hard Work Pay OffIn his autobiographical novel, Breaking Throughancisco JimŽnez shows how the heroÕs characterand hard work pay off with the opportunity to pursuean education. Francisco, although not an orphan likeDick, is homeless in a symbolic sense because he is anillegal immigrant in the United States. He facesdeportation, and lives Òin constant fearÓ (1). But whatancisco fears most of all is not being able to attendschool. He says, ÒAs I got older, my fear of beingdeported grew. I did not want to return to Mexicobecause I liked going to school [. . .] I knew there wasno school in El Rancho BlancoÓ (2). So even when thefamily teeters on the brink of economic disaster,ancisco works harder, takes on another part-timejob, and dedicates himself to his studies.Like AlgerÕs heroes, Francisco has strong moralcharacter. When he and his family are forced to liveacross the border for a short time, Francisco steals achunk of foolÕs gold. He was fascinated by ÒThe shapeand color of the stones [. . .] . They looked like goldnuggetsÓ (10). Immediately, he is sorry. He thinksabout throwing the rock away, but decides to return itIn school Francisco wants to be accepted but mostof all he wants the respect that comes from being atthe head of the class, so he applies himself diligently.Even when he is at work after school, he studiesspelling words or memorizes poems taped to hisbroom handle. He finds a copy of Dr. Doolittledump and reads five pages every night. Francisco is aoung Ben Franklin, intent on a program of self-improvement. Entering high school, he tells hisguidance counselor that he doesnÕt want to follow thetypical vocational program; he wants to be a teacher.This is the first time he learns about scholarships.ÒÔSo, if I get good grades, I can get free money toattend college?Õ I wanted to make sure IÕd heard himrightÓ (75). Like Ragged Dick, Francisco has a cleargoal and follows his teachers as guides. Seeing hisalgebra teacher, Mr. Coe, multiplying double-digitnumbers in his head, Francisco says, ÒI decided towrite down double-digit multiplication tables onpostcards and memorize them while I worked. Ianted to be as good as Mr. CoeÓ (79). When he is asophomore in high school, his English teacher encour-ages him to work on his writing. She tells him, Ò[If]ou continue working as hard as you have, youÕregoing to succeedÓ (99). She also introduces him to alove of reading when she assigns him to read Grapes of Wrath and, identifying with the characters,he finds he cannot get the novel out of his mind (102).In his senior year Francisco is elected studentbody president. He dreams of continuing his educationen though it seems that FranciscoÕs dreams are nomatch for economic realities. How can a Mexican, anillegal alien, achieve success? How can he afford to go, a patron steps inÑhis high schoolcounselor shows him scholarship and loan applica-tions and secures his fatherÕs permission to proceed.anciscoÕs determination and work have not gonescholarship money, his father affirms the gospel ofhard work (179). FranciscoÕs life is a moral emblem.His character, determination, and resourcefulness haveled to success.Strong Character and a Dream ofDouble Luck: Memoirs of a Chinese Orphanautobiographical like Breaking ThroughÒrags to richesÓ story. Chi Fa faces unbelievableobstacles, but in the end he is rewarded with success,the opportunity to immigrate to America. Chi Fa is anorphan. His first memories are the deaths of his fatherand broken-hearted mother which left him homelessand alone: Ò[T]he bad fortune of two untimely deathsleft me an orphan, a small boy in a world where noone wanted meÓ (5). He is passed from one family tothe next, until he is sold by the wife of his eldestbrother to Òa Communist chief, for five hundredpounds of riceÓ (13). When cruel treatment makeshim miserable, he dreams of escape: ÒI dreamed I wasflying on the back of a dragon. It was a big, strongdragon. I rode on the winged beastÕs back all night. Ifelt safe and powerful in my dreamÓ (19). Chi Fa hasonly this fantasy to sustain him through a long seriesof trials. Chi Fa says, ÒTo keep my dying hopesflickering, each day I searched the skies for dragondecides that his dragon will carry him away to thisbetter place. Many years later when Chi Fa is finally d11-15_TAR_Summer049/3/04, 9:27 AM13 ALAN REVIEW continues to be a staple of young adult novels inmodern times. On a deeper level, perhaps it teachesthe values of good character and the possibilities forsuccess open to all who are willing to work hard toachieve their dreams. Such didactic messages aboutcharacter and possibility have always been a staple ofchildrenÕs literature. It is no wonder that the HoratioAlger theme continues to be a vehicle for these ideasin contemporary adolescent novels.orks CitedAlger, Horatio. . New York: Collier Books, 1962.. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987.JimŽnez, Francisco. 2001.. New York: Twayne, 1993.Kanfer, Stefan. ÒHoratio Alger: The Moral of the Story.Ó Autumn 2000. 20 July 2004 .city-journal.org/html/1&#xhttp;&#x://w;&#xww42;&#x.200;0_4_urbanities-the_moral.html.Lu, Chi Fa with Becky White. . New York: Holiday House, 2001.Scharnhorst, Gary. . Boston: Twayne, 1980.The Lost Life of Horatio Alger,Jr. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985.Suggested Reading. Asheville, N.C.: Front Street, 2001.New York: Delacorte, 2001.Mar, M. Elaine. aper Daughter: A Memoir. New York: Perennial,. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.Namioka, Lensey. An Ocean Apart, A World Away. New York:Delacorte, 2002.Ryan, Pam Munoz. . New York: Scholastic,Shea, Pegi Deitz. ork: Clarion Books, 2003.. New York: Orchard Books, 2003.Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of anUnwanted Daughter. New York: Random House, 1999. d11-15_TAR_Summer049/3/04, 9:27 AM15