Horatio Alger

The phrase 'Horatio Alger' is a phrase which embeds the American Dream, his stories often used the concept of rags-to-riches to show how the American Dream works, this is seen in his novel 'Ragged Dick'. In which the protagonist Dick who is a poor boot black but through the pursuit of happiness, Dick goes on to become a well paid clerk and a 'spectable' young man. The use of this phrase as a contemporary saying is difficult to find, however the concept itself that Alger developed is still a very prominent ideal in modern day America.

The film 'The Pursuit of Happiness' was released in 2006 and stars Will Smith, this film is based on the true story of how Christopher Gardener achieved the American Dream going from rags-to-riches. The story is very fitting to many poor people in America juggling many jobs and struggling to pay the rent and survive, however it shows how the American Dream can be achieved for those who have the drive and desire to better their lives.

Horatio Alger, in my opinion, tried to portray this message that with desire and a wanting to have a better quality of life, in America, it can be achieved with the right work ethic. This film, which is based on a true story encapsulates Alger's idea. If the phrase were used today to describe the American Dream, then a story such as this would certainly be an example.

However the 'Horatio Alger Myth' which is a criticism of Alger's stories would also apply to such an film, as it glamorizes the American Dream and some people may believe provides an unrealistic account of how the American Dream can be achieved. Therefore I believe that Horatio Alger's ideals are outdated as this idea that was seen in 'Ragged Dick' of rags-to-riches, is not so telling in today's society.