The Horatio Alger myth (debunked).

[SusanCalvin]

Some recent posts made me think about this. I've actually read a number of his books and enjoyed them a great deal. But they are not what the myth says and (side note), he was apparently not a very nice man.

So, presented for your consideration.

Amazingly, a staple of Horatio Alger stories was wealthy benefactors who gave the heroes gifts and helped them on their way, thus contradicting the basis of the idea of a self-made man achieving success through hard work. Dick, the star of Alger’s Ragged Dick series and his most famous creation, once said in a story, “I’d like it if some rich man would adopt me, and give me plenty to eat and drink and wear, without my havin’ to look so sharp after it.”

http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2012/11-myths-about-horatio-alger-every-american-should-know/

Please rec this - it's a Republican/conservative/capitalist useful lie/meme that, IMHO, needs to be smacked down.

[Kalidurga]

1. Well that explains why RWers like him so much.

They can talk about hard work being a path to success in a facile way. While, ignoring that it's almost always a stroke of luck that saves the protagonist.

[SusanCalvin]

2. Exactly. nt

[w0nderer]

3. but but but american dream...

or american nightmare

cause chance to rise in 'financial levels' in the US is less than most other western industrial countries

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. K&R

Alger's work is an iconic part of American fiction.

[IMG][/IMG]

[SusanCalvin]

5. It sure is, and there's a very good reason for that.

It's an excellent read.

But it ain't what conservatives (and those who've never read it) say it is.