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Distinguishing Traits, Values, and Competences in Horatio Alger, Jr.'s Novel "Ragged Dick"
Introduction
Personality, traits and values are three terms that can be used to define a person. More
often than not, these terms are used interchangeably. However, it is crucial to set the record
straight and note that these terms are related but are distinct from each other. Definitions given in
major dictionaries bear witness to this fact. Competence, for instance, refers to the ability to do
something efficiently and successfully. Personal traits, on the other hand, refer to distinguishing
qualities or characteristics used to define persons. Lastly, values are what guides behavior and
distinguishes the right from the wrong (Schultz, 3).
Discussion
In the novel “Ragged Dick” by Alger Horatio, there are six major characters. Ragged
Dick, also known as Dick Hunter, is the protagonist. At the opening phases of the novel, Dick is
a bootblack boy but rises from this position to a decent position of a clerk and earns $20 from
mere cents. Henry Fosdick is another major character. He is a street boy, then a bootblack boy,
but rises to a decent position towards the end of the novel. Other significant characters are Frank,
Mr. Whitney, and Mr. Greyson. Dick and Fosdick will be the major focus of this paper. The
paper will seek to evaluate how the characters’ personal traits, values and competencies assists
them rise from bootblack boys to respectable persons in the society.
Personal Traits
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In an attempt to distinguish between personal traits and values, psychologists have
identified five personal traits that can be used in distinguishing one person from another. The
traits are: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (Schultz, 6).
Some of these traits relate to the lives and conduct of both Dick and Fosdick.
In chapters 15 and 16 of the novel, readers are able to learn about the openness of Dick
and Fosdick. In chapter 15, Dick encounters Mr. Greyson. The latter invites Dick to start
attending Sunday school classes. Dick is open minded and does not cling to his old ways. He
accepts Mr. Greyson’s proposal. In the same chapter, Dick meets Fosdick and invites him for
supper and also allows the visitor to share his room. In the same night, the two boys strike a deal.
Fosdick accepts to offer tuition lessons while Dick seals the deal by accepting to offer his new
friend lodging services in return. Before going to bed on the night the two boys met, Fosdick
sees Dick praying and expresses his desire to learn how to pray. Dick gladly offers to help
Fosdick learn how to pray. Together, the two young men start learning new things together.
Their openness and adventure allows them to learn new things and reach new heights.
Another trait associated with Dick is extraversion. This trait describes how a person
relates with other people. On his part, Dick is an extrovert. In the opening chapters of the novel,
the author describes the kind of a person Dick is. He notes that the protagonist has a sense of
humor; he is witty and gets along well with his shoeshine customers. The fact that he is able to
cope with other characters like Johnny Nolan, who is indolent, shows that Dick is a person who
can get along well with people. Additionally, when Dick accepted to share his room with Henry
Fosdick also shows that he is a person who can cope with anyone. On his part, Fosdick is also an
extrovert. The way he gets along with his host, Dick, is enough to prove this.
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Dick and Fosdick are conscientious. Their conscientiousness is shown in the way they
work and do things together. They both have a strong work ethic. Before rising to the position of
a clerk, Dick was a bootblack boy. In the first chapter, the author describes Dick as a person who
loved his work. He laughs with his customers and does his work diligently. Additionally, Dick is
a character who follows counsel. In chapters 13 and 14, readers see Dick being advised by Frank,
Mr. Whitney’s nephew, to save some of his earning. Dick follows Dick’s advice and after saving
some cash, he opens a savings account. Fosdick, another character who rises to a respectable
position, is also conscientious and has a strong work ethic. He coaches Dick diligently, and also
follows his counsel to apply for a respectable job.
Values
There are several values that have guided the two characters from “rags to riches”. One
of the values associated with Dick is selflessness. On several occasions, readers see Dick giving
away his savings to people he felt that are needier than self. One of these instances happens when
he is told by Henry Fosdick that the former cannot attend an interview because he does not have
respectable clothes to wear. Dick donates his savings to him. On another occasion, he willingly
donates his savings to a family that was being evicted. The persons that were being evicted are
Tom Wilkins and his mother.
In chapter 15, the author describes Dick as being “scrupulously honest” (Horatio 62). The
incidence that led the author to conclude this happens after Dick honestly offers change to Mr.
Greyson. During the incidence, Mr. Greyson would have forgotten that he was owed some
change. However, Dick does not take advantage of Mr. Greyson’s forgetfulness.
Thirdly, Dick is compassionate. His decision to invite Fosdick into his room was not
driven by vested interests. He honestly wanted to see the vagrant (Fosdick) get a good night
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sleep. It must be noted that this value finally leads Dick to greater heights. While walking along
a footpath with Fosdick, the two discover a child that was drowning in a river. Dick volunteers to
dive into the river and save the child. The conversation that succeeds this occasion makes Mr.
Rockwell, the child’s father, offer Dick a respectable job.
Competences
Competencies associated with Dick, and to some point Fosdick, are directly related to the
way the two characters communicate. Dick, for instance, has excellent interpersonal
communication skills. From the first chapter, readers are treated to scenes that exhibit the
interpersonal communication abilities of Dick. He has a great sense of humor; a fact that kept his
customers coming back. In addition to this, interaction between Dick and Fosdick reveals that
Fosdick is well educated. Dick is able to convince Fosdick to coach him. Towards the end, Mr.
Rockwell asks Dick about his future prospects. Dicks makes use of interpersonal skills to
convince his prospective employer that he is equal to task.
Another competence associated with Dick and Fosdick is resilience. From the start, the
two characters take odd jobs. They do not lose heart. Fosdick is the first one to rise, while Dick
waits for his turn. At some point, Fosdick is amazed by Dick’s inability to read. The truth is that
Dick is not talented, but he never gives up. He tries his best, and his efforts pay well at the end.
Conclusion
Personal traits, values and competencies are distinct terms. In most case, they are used
interchangeably, but these should not be the case. The terms, though different, they are used in
defining personal attributes.
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Works Cited
Horatio, Alger. Ragged Dick. Fairford: Echo Library.
Schultz, D. Theories of Personality. Stamford, CO: Cengage Learning
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