At the beginning of the novel, Dick befriends Mr. Whitney and Frank, an affluent uncle and nephew. Both Frank and Mr. Whitney give Dick advice about moving up in the world and improving himself. These speeches are each examples of ethos, a mode of persuasion that appeals to the reader by emphasizing the speaker's authority.
After Dick takes Frank around the city and returns to Astor House in Chapter 8, the luxurious hotel where his wealthy friends are staying, Mr. Whitney draws on his own experiences to advise Dick on the best path forward:
"You know in this free country, poverty in early life is no bar to a man’s advancement. I haven’t risen very high myself,” he added, with a smile, “but have met with moderate success in life; yet there was a time when I was as poor as you.”
Here, Mr. Whitney's word carries authority because he used to be poor like Dick but has since "risen" in the world. The combination of his past and present circumstances makes him a persuasive figure, and his words affect Dick deeply, setting off his journey of self-improvement.
Frank gives Dick advice on a different topic: education. In Chapter 11, he urges Dick to increase his learning, saying:
"[...] In order to succeed well, you must manage to get as good an education as you can. Until you do, you cannot get a position in an office or counting-room, even to run errands.”
Unlike his uncle, Frank isn't a self-made man; he can't give advice on the same subjects as his uncle. However, he's benefitted from attending school and understands the customs and mannerisms of the upper class—strengths that reflect Alger's thematic concerns with the importance of getting an education and dressing and behaving like a "gentleman." His words carry power precisely because he was born and raised in a wealthy family.
Occurring early in the novel, these speakers' straightforward instructions lay out the terms of Dick's quest and tell the reader exactly what he needs to do to lift himself out of poverty. They also suggest that making money or even being born wealthy confers moral and social authority on people, who can then function as advisors for less fortunate people like Dick. Ultimately, the novel's attitude towards its readers mirrors Mr. Whitney's relationship with Dick: just as Mr. Whitney's life story inspires Dick, the protagonist's journey is supposed to serve as a form of authoritative guidance to readers who want to become "respectable" themselves.
At the beginning of the novel, Dick befriends Mr. Whitney and Frank, an affluent uncle and nephew. Both Frank and Mr. Whitney give Dick advice about moving up in the world and improving himself. These speeches are each examples of ethos, a mode of persuasion that appeals to the reader by emphasizing the speaker's authority.
After Dick takes Frank around the city and returns to Astor House in Chapter 8, the luxurious hotel where his wealthy friends are staying, Mr. Whitney draws on his own experiences to advise Dick on the best path forward:
"You know in this free country, poverty in early life is no bar to a man’s advancement. I haven’t risen very high myself,” he added, with a smile, “but have met with moderate success in life; yet there was a time when I was as poor as you.”
Here, Mr. Whitney's word carries authority because he used to be poor like Dick but has since "risen" in the world. The combination of his past and present circumstances makes him a persuasive figure, and his words affect Dick deeply, setting off his journey of self-improvement.
Frank gives Dick advice on a different topic: education. In Chapter 11, he urges Dick to increase his learning, saying:
"[...] In order to succeed well, you must manage to get as good an education as you can. Until you do, you cannot get a position in an office or counting-room, even to run errands.”
Unlike his uncle, Frank isn't a self-made man; he can't give advice on the same subjects as his uncle. However, he's benefitted from attending school and understands the customs and mannerisms of the upper class—strengths that reflect Alger's thematic concerns with the importance of getting an education and dressing and behaving like a "gentleman." His words carry power precisely because he was born and raised in a wealthy family.
Occurring early in the novel, these speakers' straightforward instructions lay out the terms of Dick's quest and tell the reader exactly what he needs to do to lift himself out of poverty. They also suggest that making money or even being born wealthy confers moral and social authority on people, who can then function as advisors for less fortunate people like Dick. Ultimately, the novel's attitude towards its readers mirrors Mr. Whitney's relationship with Dick: just as Mr. Whitney's life story inspires Dick, the protagonist's journey is supposed to serve as a form of authoritative guidance to readers who want to become "respectable" themselves.
