Ragged Dick · Chapter
IX: A Scene in a Third Avenue Car explained
Dick and Frank ride a Third Avenue horsecar toward Central Park.
What happens
Dick and Frank ride a Third Avenue horsecar toward Central Park. A woman falsely accuses Frank of stealing her purse, but after a search proves both boys innocent, she discovers her own porte-monnaie in her pocket. Dick's comic remarks amuse the passengers, and the boys exit at Fifty-ninth Street.
Themes in this chapter
Honesty and Moral Integrity
Frank's willingness to be searched and Dick's refusal to steal highlight the boys' integrity, contrasting with the woman's false accusation.
Social Class and Respectability
The woman's prejudice against the boys, despite Frank's respectable appearance, shows how class and appearance influence perceptions of guilt.
Characters to notice
- Ragged Dick
Dick defends Frank with humor, volunteers to be searched, and makes witty remarks about his 'valooable property.'
- Frank Whitney
Frank is falsely accused of theft, remains calm and dignified, and agrees to be searched to clear his name.
Key passages
“That's what I carry my cash and valooable papers in.”
Dick jokes that the large wallet holds his money and important documents.
Dick's humorous defense of the oversized pocketbook given to him by the swindler.
“I shan't apologize to anybody, least of all to such whippersnappers as they are.”
The woman refuses to apologize to the boys, calling them insignificant.
The woman's stubbornness and lack of remorse after her false accusation.
“That's the misfortin' of being rich. Astor and me don't sleep much for fear of burglars breakin' in and robbin' us of our valooable treasures.”
Dick jokes that being wealthy like John Jacob Astor keeps him awake worrying about thieves.
Dick's comic exaggeration about the burdens of wealth.