...During the period of the 1800’s, the United States went through a period of dramatic economic and industrial growth. The nation was becoming increasingly urbanized and industrialized. The changes that the United States went though also led to a transformation in working conditions of laborers. As the working class labored monotonous, dangerous, and low wage jobs, the gap between social classes of America broadened. This big gap made success an extremely distant reach for the lower class. During the Gilded Age, the ideology of success was widely promoted. Horatio Alger was one of the Gilded Age’s biggest advocates of success, sharing his ideas about how the poor could go from “rags to respectability” through plain luck. Horatio Alger’s beliefs connecting success and luck are highly irrational. Success is something that is achieved through hard work, not something that magically appears through luck. One may define success as being rich, having status, or simply living a happy life. Those things can easily be obtained through success. However, I believe that something that is not achieved does not truly define success. There is a big difference in having the luck of being born into a rich family and achieving an affluent position at work. I believe that success can only be the result of accomplishments through strong efforts; otherwise, it is simply pure luck and not success. When people achieve “success” through luck, there is nothing that was worked for; therefore, there is...
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...The short story ”The Cash Boy” is written by Horatio Alger and it was published in the year 1889. The story is about a little poor boy, which lost everyone he loved except his little sister. Because the situation with no parents and income, Frank moved to New York for himself, so he could make some money for him and his sister. His sister stayed in the country and it’s Frank who pays for her needs and her tuition. One day at work Franks boss asks him to send some letters. Frank says yes and now he ventures to find the mailbox at Forty-sixth Street. On his way he helps an old man and he gets invited inside the old mans house for dinner. During the dinner he is getting to know the old man more and more and it ends with Frank reading for the old man and getting a well-paid job. The main theme in this short story is helpfulness. It is about what you give, will be giving back. The reason why this is the main theme is because Frank is a poor, smart and kind kid, who only wants to give his sister a good life. Franks name is Frank Fowler. He has a sister and no parents. Frank lives in New York. He is a Cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack’s and this is here he spends all his hours’ everyday running between the salesmen and the cashier. The boss tells him, that he is a hard working-man and he earns 3 dollars a week, which isn’t much. He spends his money on his sister, Grace, and her tuition, which tells us that he is a caring boy, who only wants to help his sister and others: “Of this sum...
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...Thompson portrays the American Dream as illusionary, as there are some places where he says that the American Dream is about money. The American Dream is a phrase which is heard, at some point, by most people today and the meaning has been understood since the founding of America. The definition of the American Dream appears to be different for most people, depending on their views. Probably the most accepted explanation of the American Dream is that it “is an idea which suggests all people can succeed through hard work, and that all people have the potential to live a happy and a successful life” (What is American Dream? Wisegreek.com). However, this phrase also equates happiness to wealth. The American Dreams differs for many people, but Horatio Alger’s idea is the one that we still remember today. He...
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...The American Dream “the widespread belief that, by hard work and individual enterprise, even the most poor and lowly Americans can achieve economic success, a better way of life and enhanced social status in a land of immense opportunity (Watts).” Ragged Dick is really about rising from rags to respectable not rags to riches. I view that Dick is an exceptional character showing that true grit to get what he wants even if its almost out of reach, which shows “The American dream” is something you have to work for. Dick has all the qualities of someone who could achieve his goals with hard work. Dick is a young man who has lived on his own for years, meeting Mr. Whitney changed how Dick viewed people and life. How could a man Dick did not even know have faith in him to appreciate a new suit and not ask for anything in return? But when thinking how “The American Dream” is viewed in Dick’s eyes he sees it as having respect from all and when he is in a suit he receives the respect from his elders. Throughout the book you hear Dick use words such as “bully” when describing something that is very good. In the time that Dick and Mr. Whitney are together you find that Dick starts to show his real thoughts on what he wants to do in the future, which shows that Dick does have a “dream” in a way. When Dick meets Mr. Whitney’s nephew Frank they bond while Dick shows him around New York. During this time Dick discovers that being a boot black is not something he has to do for the rest of...
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...The essay “Horatio Alger” by Harlon Dalton debates Alger’s idea of what it takes to make the American Dream a reality. Horatio Alger believes that success can be reached with “hard work, persistence and initiative.” Through his critical analysis of Alger’s pieces, Dalton explores Alger’s myth through social realities, like discrimination based on race and current economic standing. Taking “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara into consideration, Dalton would praise Miss Moore’s teachings and tell Sylvia and her friends that they mustn’t listen to the classic “rags to riches” myths of most stories. In “Horatio Alger” by Dalton, Dalton argues that the myth of commercial success is not only false but socially destructive. Alger’s first claim is that “each of us is judged solely on his/her own merits.” Dalton proceeds to counter argue that this is only true when it pertains to white people. Dalton further believes that Alger’s formula for success is too optimistic and blind to the social and racial caste system of the world. When black people are only compared to people of the same race they cannot be held to the same standard as white people, which is true for other races as well. Stereotypes give society a basic conception of each race that is not based solely on their worth but on their position on the social scale and the color of their skin. This myth gives society the wrong expectation of each race and causes them to believe that certain races possess quality traits that others...
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...In America we have something called the American dream. To us the American dream is for everyone to be able to be financially stable and be able to maintain a good stature. The dream is for everyone to be able to maintain a social rank that can make you respectable. If you want to be well respected in America you have to have a good job if you aren’t you’re portrayed as a failure. When you’re a failure you are not apart of the American dream and are placed in the category of the ones who disappoint. After Analyzing “From Ragged Dick” by Horatio Alger and “Horatio Alger” by Harlon Dalton as they argued against each other on social mobility and economic prosperity as they express different views . After analyzing both readings and considering...
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...Been Carson is a man of determination, a man of Dreams! Ben Came from a poor family living in detroit but his mother was an inspiration to not let his status hold him back from his dreams. Benjamin Carson was born sept. 18, 1951 to Sonya and Robert Carson. He was their second son. His mother dropped out of school in 3rd grade. Robert was a baptist minister. At the age of 8 years old Ben’s dad left them for another family, even though at the time 1959 Ben and his brother Curtis, age 10 were not told the exact reason as to why their dad left. This left Ben hurting tremendously as he loved his dad. For weeks Been would question his mother about the situation and he would pray that God help his parents get back together. Eventually he came to realize they could make it without him. “But dad never came home again. As the days and weeks passed, I learned we could get by without him. We were poorer than, and I could tell mother worried, although she didn’t say much to Curtis or me” (Curtis, Ben). After his dad left for good the family was even poorer than before. Sonja would try to get child support from Robert but he would never provide enough and would only give some money for a month or two after court and then he would stop again. In spite of the financial struggles they faced, the boys always had something to eat and a roof over their head. Their mother, Sonja had to work multiple jobs, one right after the other in order to be able to support the 3 of them. This resulted in having...
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...How far do you agree with the view that McCarthyism had little impact on US society in the years 1950-54? It is argued that McCarthyism had a vital impact on US society in the years 1950-54. This can be seen through the knock on effects it had on the people in America, as the fear of communism was rising as McCarthyism triggered a panic all across America during this period. The USA was already feeling very vulnerable after War as they feared communism would spread just the way It did in China, thus McCarthyism was significant as many Americans were scared that their society would come under the influence of communism. However, many historians argue that the impact John McCarthy was only short term as soon; the Red Scare was falling apart as everyone was being accused of being a communist. McCarthy influenced many Americans through radio and press and caused many Americans to panic from Communism. He raised the awareness of the impact that communism could have on American society and how it could change the American way of life, and during this period many Americans did not want any significant change as the economy was booming and prosperity was flourishing all over America, which was a major change. Therefore, people had a reason to fear Communism as Americans were living a better and more affluent life and they did not want their privileges to be taken away from them. McCarthy took advantage of this and manipulated the press, and released as many accusations as possible...
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...as seen on the show CSI. But when you’re a movie star you can drive whatever company is paying the advertising bills. In Hollywood’s depicture of real life organizations this type of flashy brand new equipment is expected. Forensic scientists are rarely actually involved in solving cases, as the show depicts. A team of scientists is usually called out once a month to a crime scene to investigate fingerprints, firearms, trace evidence, document blood splatter patterns, collect footprints and tire prints, footwear patterns, and other evidence. My uncle said, “Forensic scientists rarely go to most crime scenes, let alone are on the scene moments after a crime was committed.” Yet, no sooner after the intro music we end up seeing Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the crime scene as the body is being extracted and to top it off the father is on the scene with a typical group of people trying to see the body. Then we see the coroner Dr. Alexx Woods was only wearing gloves. She should have been...
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...Names Ever since I was a little boy, I always remembered wondering how and why things were named what they are; also why/ how the words were formed. On long road trips/ vacations I would look at street signs and store names in foreign places and wonder why things were named as they were. A group of people I thought who put a lot of meaning into what they named things were the Native American Indians. All of the places, people, even animals they named were very symbolic, and had an important meaning. I feel as if in today’s world we don’t put as much thought into the things we name. Even when parents name their kids, some just slap a name on their forehead (not literally.) They don’t think about how they want their child to be raised, or they want them to become as an adult. My good friend was given a made up name when he was born because his father was drunk. To me that’s just cruel. For one thing, it would be rather hard for him to complete an essay like this, but also knowing your name which is a big part of you, has no real meaning. My name, Owen, was passed down 3 generations before me. I asked my father “why has our name been passed down this long? Why did you name me it?” he told me that his great grandfather was born into slavery and explained to me how he was not given a name until he was released and shipped to Jamaica. There, he was adopted at a young age into a family. The family said my great grandfather was a fighter; taking a lot of abuse and seeing a lot...
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...Alger Hiss Trial On august 3 1948 whitaker chambers of the former communist party appeared before the house committee on un American activities to denounce alger hiss. Chambers asserted that he knew hiss was a member of an underground organization of the united states communist party. This was a crucial point, infiltration and invisible political influence were immortal but arguably not illegal. Espionage was treason, traditionally punishable by death. Rumors had circulated about hiss since 1939 when chambers at the urging of anti Stalinist crusader issac don Levine accused hiss of having to belong to an underground communist cell. Hoover put a wiretap on hiss’s home phone and had his wife investigated and tailed for two years. Hiss protested his innocence and insisted on appearing before huac himself. He denied ever being part of the communist party. It then became a war of wars and Nixon was voted in to determine who was lying hiss or chambers. When Chambers called Hiss a communist he filed a defamation suit against him. Chambers retailiated by again calling him a communist and also a spy. He produced a 65 page of notes in Hiss’s hand writing which also summarized the contents of the state department cables which then became the Baltimore files. both Chambers and Hiss had denied having committed espionage. By introducing the Baltimore documents, Chambers admitted he had previously lied, opening both Hiss and himself to perjury charges. Chambers...
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...Leadership Style Krystal Miller LDR/531 November 11, 2013 Dr. David Warren University of Phoenix Leadership Style A leader I admire the most is an actor on one of the greatest Television Shows. This leader shows great leadership in every aspect of his job. Each episode amazes more with his courage, respect for his team and how much his team and others learn from him. This leader is David Caruso, also known as, Lieutenant Horatio Caine of CSI: Miami. The Leader Lieutenant Horatio Caine is the head of the CSI team of the Miami Dade Police Department. He is a protective leader of his team and his victims. One of Horatio’s greatest traits is his loyalty to his team. On many of his shows he has went above and beyond to back his team members who are going through rough times. As a leader his is very concerned about the reputation of his lab. Horatio is the type of leader that feels responsible for those around him, and he has always kept calm on the job. Although he lives on instinct and is compelled to protect the city, he keeps his reputation. Evaluation Replace the level two heading with the words for your heading. The heading must be in bold font. Mentor Discussion Replace the level three heading with the words for your heading. The heading must be in bold font. References This is a hanging indent. To keep the hanging indent format, simply delete this line of text using the backspace key, and replace the information...
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...2. Identify the victors at the Battle of Trafalgar. Where is this battle most highly commemorated and why? Map of the battle and deployment of ships during the battle of Trafalgar from National Geographic. [1] “Six thousand Frenchmen and Spaniards were killed or wounded at Trafalgar as well as 1,700 Britons; nineteen enemy ships were taken and one sunk; but the immensity of the victory at Trafalgar transcended such mundane calculations. It guaranteed British control of the oceans, and the creation of a unique global power that would endure for more than a century. The iconic value of the two names Nelson and Trafalgar for the British state was immense: they would be combined in many forms, most obviously in the centre of imperial London.”[2] This quote taken form Andrew Lambert’s article on the lasting effects of the battle of Trafalgar illustrates the significance of that battle of the world’s stage. The battle reinforced British supremacy of the seas and set forth the uncontested dominance of the British Empire throughout the globe. The fact that the British Empire then dominated the seas led directly to their ability to develop as a nation state and to influence the political landscape of Europe. Nations of Europe that had any interest in maritime trade with others now had to contend with the British Empire. The maritime supremacy of Great Britain, secured at the Battle of Trafalgar, is arguably one of the most important aspects of...
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...disappointed, "I don't think much of it. My father's got a large pasture that is much nicer." "It'll look better some time," said Dick. "There ain't much to see now but rocks. We will take a walk over it if you want to." "No," said Frank, "I've seen as much of it as I want to. Besides, I feel tired." (p. 48) In this passage from Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger employs the ongoing construction of Central Park as a metaphor for the transformation of Ragged Dick into the esteemed Richard Hunter, Esquire. The narrator informs the reader at the outset of this passage that when Dick and Frank are visiting the Park during its construction, there are "no houses of good appearance near it"; significantly, the buildings that are there are only "temporary." Central Park, like Ragged Dick, is simply a work-in-progress. Although externally it may appear rough and unpolished, as both the Park and Dick do to Frank, this situation is only transitory. Through diligent and honest work for Dick and "workmen" for the Park, a revolution will be completed, culminating in a respectable and elegant final product. The fact that Alger utilizes the word "undoubtedly" informs the reader that for both Dick and Central Park, self-improvement will assuredly be achieved through demanding effort, and this is designed to provide incentives and hope for...
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...Attaining the “American Dream” The “American Dream” is an ideal that has been present since American literature’s commencement, but what exactly is the famous “American Dream?” Some might say that it’s a quest for wealth, prosperity, and generally a high position in society, while others might say it is nothing but the act of settling down and having a good life. What is true is that all of the mentioned notions can be ascribed to the fundamental idea of the “American Dream.” Through the passing of time, the original quest for settlement and freedom has evolved into a continuing struggle to achieve a big house, a nice car, and a life of ease. Horatio Alger’s book Ragged Dick is a very suitable portrait. Alger tells the reader that anyone and everyone could improve themselves with hard work, a positive attitude, and an education, and the “American Dream” is a possible dream that can be attained by anyone. Bill Rancic, an American entrepreneur, has been quoted saying, “The ‘American Dream’ is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don't necessarily need to have an Ivy League education or to have millions of dollars of startup money. It can be done with an idea, hard work and determination.” In the book Ragged Dick, the main character Dick was nothing more than a poor city boy who was trying to earn money on the streets of New York City. Dick started with nothing, and had no education, savings, respect, home or hope for change. The only thing that Dick...
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