Do and Dare: A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune
Jr. Horatio Alger
Jun 2017 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
184
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About this ebook
Hero Herbert Carr is the son of a war widow who had assumed her husband's place as postmaster of the small rural town in Waynesboro. Widow Carr is upset because Squire Walsingham is using his political influence to take the post away from the widow to put into the hands of his nephew, Ebenezer Graham, the local miser and shopkeeper. Walsingham succeeds in his efforts and the post is given to Mr. Graham. Since Mr. Graham is uncertain of how to run a post office, he offers to hire Herbert for a pittance to run things until he learns what must be done. However, Mr. Graham's son, Eben Graham, a fop/spendthrift, returns from Boston where he had been a shop clerk. Fired because of his own arrogance, he returns home seeking employment. Mr. Graham fires Herbert and hires his son.
About the author
Horatio Alger Jr. (1832-1899) was an American author whose rags-to-riches tales became a cornerstone of 19th-century literature. Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Alger attended Harvard University, where he studied under the tutelage of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His early career was marked by a brief stint as a minister, but a scandal involving allegations of inappropriate behavior led to his resignation and a pivot to writing.Alger's stories, often featuring young protagonists who rise from poverty to success through hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, struck a chord with a nation undergoing rapid industrialization and social change. His narratives encapsulated the American Dream, offering hope and moral lessons to a burgeoning middle class. Despite their formulaic nature, Alger's books were wildly popular, selling millions of copies and influencing generations of readers.However, Alger's life was not without controversy. His abrupt departure from the ministry and the subsequent whispers of scandal cast a shadow over his career. Additionally, modern critics have scrutinized his works for their simplistic moralism and lack of nuanced social critique. Yet, his influence on contemporary writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jack London, is undeniable. They drew inspiration from Alger's archetypal self-made man, even as they complicated and critiqued the myth he helped to create.Alger's legacy is a testament to the enduring allure of the American Dream, even as it invites ongoing debate about the realities of social mobility and the complexities of human character. His life and works remain a fascinating study of ambition, morality, and the power of storytelling in shaping cultural ideals.
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