Ragged Dick · Chapter
VI: Up Broadway to Madison Square explained
Dick and Frank Whitney walk up Broadway, passing landmarks like the St.
What happens
Dick and Frank Whitney walk up Broadway, passing landmarks like the St. Nicholas and Metropolitan Hotels, the Mercantile Library, Cooper Institute, and the Bible House. Frank encourages Dick to improve his reading and education, and offers to teach him. Dick expresses a desire to become respectable and get an office job. Frank tells Dick the story of Dick Whittington, who rose from poverty to become Lord Mayor of London, inspiring Dick to try to better himself. Dick reflects on his past mistakes, such as gambling and wasting money, and resolves to change.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Improvement and Education
Frank encourages Dick to learn to read and write, and Dick expresses a desire to improve himself and become respectable.
Thrift and Financial Prudence
Dick regrets wasting money on theatre, oyster-stews, and gambling, and resolves to save and spend wisely.
Individual Agency and Ambition
Dick is inspired by the story of Dick Whittington and decides to try to rise above his circumstances through his own efforts.
Characters to notice
- Ragged Dick
Reflects on past financial mistakes, expresses desire to improve his education and become respectable, and is inspired by the story of Dick Whittington.
- Frank Whitney
Guides Dick up Broadway, points out landmarks, offers to teach Dick to read, and tells him the story of Dick Whittington to encourage ambition.
- Limpy Jim
Mentioned by Dick as the person who tricked him into gambling away five dollars, leaving him without lodging on a cold night.
Key passages
“I needn’t have been Ragged Dick so long if I hadn’t spent my money in goin’ to the theatre, and treatin’ boys to oyster-stews, and bettin’ money on cards, and suchlike.”
Dick admits that his poverty was prolonged by his own wasteful spending on entertainment and gambling.
Shows Dick's growing self-awareness about financial habits.
“I’d like to be a office boy, and learn business, and grow up ’spectable.”
Dick expresses a desire to work in an office, learn business skills, and become a respectable member of society.
Highlights Dick's ambition for upward mobility.
“Nobody ever talked to me so before. They just called me Ragged Dick, and told me I’d grow up to be a vagabone and come to the gallows.”
Dick reflects that no one has ever encouraged him like Frank; others only predicted a life of crime and failure for him.
Emphasizes the transformative power of positive mentorship.