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Richard Hunter

Decent Essays

Set in New York 1860s, Fame and Fortune or, The Progress of Richard Hunter by Horatio Alger is about Richard Hunter, a boot-black who, in the previous book, went from rags to riches by choosing to make something of himself and becoming a well-paid errand boy; and now, is learning how to fit into high society and deal with people who try to bring him down. The story begins with Richard and his best friend Henry finding a boarding house to live in. After they find a room, Richard starts his first day at his new job. However when he first arrives, the booker keeper doesn’t seem to take a fancy to him. After telling the book keeper that he came for the job the book keeper says “I don’t think we’ll be needing your valuable services.” (P) The book-keeper …show more content…

Micky starts off as a ruffian, fighting, smoking and stealing. This is why Richard and Micky were never friends. Micky always tried to throw his weight around because he was strong but Richard wasn’t one to be disrespected and actually fought Micky once. Micky has also been to jail multiple times. However, after Micky comes back from his three months in jail for stealing the man’s wall and meets Mr. Rockwell, he reforms. Mr. Rockwell caused him to think about why he was so mean and why he couldn’t be as well off as Richard. He realized that he hated Richard for all the wrong reasons. He hated Richard for “putting on airs” but Mr. Rockwell made him realize that wasn’t a credible reason. Mr. Rockwell says “Tell me truly, wouldn’t you rather wear clothes than poor ones, and keep yourself clean and neat?” (P) Micky agrees and from that moment, he became respectable young boy. After getting the job with Richard, they become friends and Micky finally starts going on the path that Richard once …show more content…

Richard never had it easy. In Ragged Dick he was a boot-black barely making enough money to feed himself. However, after meeting Henry and having Henry teach him how to read and write. He finally was able to progress and get a well-paying job as an errand boy. Now in Fame and Fortune or, The Progress of Richard Hunter, he is still trying to better himself. However, greatness wasn’t spoon fed to him and had to work diligently to achieve it. He work hard at his job and also continued to learn by hiring a private tutor in his boarding house. This is why Richard became so wealthy by time the end of the book instead of Roswell, who had a much easier upbringing than Richard. Roswell expected good fortune to fall into his lap without putting in the hard work. Even Micky, who had the worst upbringing, eventually learned, the hard way, that putting in the effort and hard work will result in great

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