Discussion Report, Group __________________ Reporter:__________________________

Others participating:
 
 
 

(Circle the number(s) of the question(s) your group chose)
 

1. Prior to the "Golden Age," many child characters in books written for children were intended as examples--excellent or horrible--of the results of certain kinds of behavior.  How is Dick himself made both likeable and exemplary? What about other characters?

2. This book explicitly addresses two different groups of boys, those whose lives are like Frank's and those whose lives are similar to Dick's. What does it try to teach each group, not only in terms of values but also in terms of life skills? Does it still address both groups?

3. How is Ragged Dick similar to/different from Alice in Wonderland?

4. What (beyond the setting) is realistic about Ragged Dick? What is romantic? Discuss, in particular, dialogue, characters, and plot.

5. Ragged Dick and Alger's other novels are often described as "rags to riches" stories.  They could also be called "Cinderella stories for boys."  These labels, of course, are only partially appropriate.  Discuss.

6. What does Alger accomplish by being very specific about places, prices, institutions, and other features of New York city?  Do you think this played a role in the popularity of the book, and its continued interest today?
 

*. (Opinion question: for all groups that have time for it) Your edition tells you about Alger's life. Does this knowledge affect the value of the book? In general, if the lifestyle of an author was problematic, is that fact especially relevant in the case of books for children, or no more so than in the case of books for adults? Why? (Related question: is it necessary to discuss the life of the author in presenting books to children?)