# Ragged Dick — Ragged Dick character guide

> Ragged Dick in Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger Jr..

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Dick, Dick Whittington, Richard Hunter, Richard

**First appearance:** 0002-ragged-dick

## Snapshot

A sharp-witted bootblack with a genius for luck and a stubborn streak of honesty, he decides that a boy in rags can still climb toward respectability.

## Who they are

Dick earns his living shining shoes on Broadway, sleeping in cheap lodgings, and spending his spare change on theaters and oyster stews. When a wealthy stranger's son and a homeless, educated boy cross his path, he begins to imagine a life beyond Mott Street—though his slang and street habits keep tripping him up in polite company. His restless desire to rise, paired with his refusal to cheat, sets the whole story in motion.

## Relationships

### [Frank Whitney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/frank_whitney)

_friendship_

Frank Whitney is Dick's first wealthy friend who encourages him to improve himself and save money.

### [Jim Travis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/jim_travis)

_friendship_

Jim Travis is a fellow bootblack and close friend of Dick, often working and socializing together.

### [Micky Maguire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/micky_maguire)

_rivalry_

Micky Maguire is a street tough and bully who frequently antagonizes and fights with Dick.

### [Johnny Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/johnny_nolan)

_friendship_

Johnny Nolan is a lazy but good-natured fellow bootblack and friend of Dick.

### [Tom Wilkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/tom_wilkins)

_friendship_

Tom Wilkins is a young friend and fellow bootblack who looks up to Dick.

### [Ida Greyson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/ida_greyson)

_social_

Ida Greyson is the young daughter of Mr. Greyson, whom Dick befriends and helps during a ferry ride.

### [Mr. Greyson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/mr_greyson)

_social_

Mr. Greyson is Ida's grateful father who rewards Dick for rescuing his daughter from danger.

### [Mr. Whitney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/mr_whitney)

_friendship_

Mr. Whitney is Frank's uncle who gives Dick advice and a new suit, acting as a mentor figure.

### [Mrs. Mooney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/mrs_mooney)

_professional_

Mrs. Mooney is Dick's landlady, who rents him a room and provides lodging.

### [Tom Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/tom_miles)

_friendship_

Tom Miles is a fellow bootblack and friend who works alongside Dick.

### [Mr. Rockwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/mr_rockwell)

_professional_

Mr. Rockwell is a wealthy businessman who hires Dick as a clerk after being impressed by his honesty.

### [Roswell Crawford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/roswell_crawford)

_rivalry_

Roswell Crawford is a snobbish clerk who looks down on Dick and competes with him socially.

## In the story

### [Ragged Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/ragged-dick)

Introduced as the protagonist, a homeless bootblack sleeping in a box on Spruce Street, earning his living by shining shoes.

### [I: Ragged Dick Is Introduced to the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/i-ragged-dick-is-introduced-to-the-reader)

Introduced as a bootblack living in a box; frank, honest, but with faults like smoking and gambling.

### [II: Johnny Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/ii-johnny-nolan)

Shows generosity by treating Johnny to breakfast and reflects on the value of ambition and hard work.

### [Dick Makes a Proposition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/iii-dick-makes-a-proposition)

Shows honesty and resourcefulness in recovering the good bill, then proposes himself as a guide to Frank Whitney.

### [Dick's New Suit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/iv-dick-s-new-suit)

Receives a new suit and undergoes a physical transformation, feeling like Cinderella; shows gratitude and humor.

### [Chatham Street and Broadway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/v-chatham-street-and-broadway)

Guides Frank through New York, showing his knowledge of city life and sharp wit.

### [VI: Up Broadway to Madison Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/vi-up-broadway-to-madison-square)

Reflects on past financial mistakes, expresses desire to improve his education and become respectable, and is inspired by the story of Dick Whittington.

### [VII: The Pocketbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/vii-the-pocketbook)

Dick cleverly turns the tables on a pocketbook dropper, using a fake bill to avoid being swindled, and later refuses to return the wallet.

### [Dick's Early History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/viii-dick-s-early-history)

Shares his early life story, including his mother's death, father's disappearance, and his struggle to survive from age seven.

### [IX: A Scene in a Third Avenue Car](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/ix-a-scene-in-a-third-avenue-car)

Dick defends Frank with humor, volunteers to be searched, and makes witty remarks about his 'valooable property.'

### [X: Introduces a Victim of Misplaced Confidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/x-introduces-a-victim-of-misplaced-confidence)

Shows vulnerability when discussing his loneliness, but remains sharp and streetwise, recognizing the swindler.

### [Dick as a Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xi-dick-as-a-detective)

Acts as a detective to recover a countryman's stolen money, demonstrates honesty and resourcefulness, and resolves to improve himself after receiving advice from Mr. Whitney.

### [Dick Hires a Room on Mott Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xii-dick-hires-a-room-on-mott-street)

Dick hires his first room, pays in advance, and begins his journey toward respectability.

### [XIII: Micky Maguire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xiii-micky-maguire)

Dick wakes in his new room, washes, and chooses to wear his new suit. He works as a bootblack, earns money, and buys breakfast and a comb. He is determined to live respectably and save money.

### [XIV: A Battle and a Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xiv-a-battle-and-a-victory)

Opens a bank account, fights Micky Maguire, and resolves to improve himself through saving and education.

### [Dick Secures a Tutor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xv-dick-secures-a-tutor)

Demonstrates honesty by returning change to Mr. Greyson, and shows generosity and ambition by offering Fosdick lodging for tutoring.

### [XVI: The First Lesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xvi-the-first-lesson)

Begins his first reading lesson with Fosdick, showing determination to improve himself and become respectable.

### [Dick's First Appearance in Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xvii-dick-s-first-appearance-in-society)

Attends church and dinner with the Greysons, feels out of place but is drawn to Ida's friendliness.

### [XVIII: Micky Maguire’s Second Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xviii-micky-maguire-s-second-defeat)

Shows bravery in confronting Micky Maguire and generosity in offering his savings to Fosdick for new clothes.

### [XIX: Fosdick Changes His Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xix-fosdick-changes-his-business)

Accompanies Fosdick to the job application, uses drollery to keep up Fosdick's spirits, and cleverly deflects Roswell Crawford's insults.

### [Dick Loses His Bankbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxi-dick-loses-his-bankbook)

Discovers his bankbook missing and feels the bitterness of financial loss; resolves to recover it and still help Tom Wilkins.

### [XXII: Tracking the Thief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxii-tracking-the-thief)

Dick takes proactive steps to recover his stolen bankbook, showing his resourcefulness and determination.

### [XXIII: Travis Is Arrested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxiii-travis-is-arrested)

Recovers his stolen bankbook at the bank, shows compassion for Travis despite the theft, and generously gives money to Tom Wilkins for his mother's care.

### [Dick Receives a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxiv-dick-receives-a-letter)

Receives his first letter from Frank Whitney, feels pride in his improved literacy and appearance, and handles Micky Maguire's taunts with humor.

### [Dick Writes His First Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxv-dick-writes-his-first-letter)

Writes his first letter to Frank Whitney, showing pride in his progress and humor about his past.

### [An Exciting Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxvi-an-exciting-adventure)

Demonstrates bravery and selflessness by diving into the river to save a drowning boy, despite the risk to his own life.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xxvii-conclusion)

Accepts a clerkship at Mr. Rockwell's counting room for ten dollars a week, symbolizing his rise from poverty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/ragged_dick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters