Jed, the Poorhouse Boy

In «Jed, the Poorhouse Boy,» Horatio Alger crafts an evocative narrative that epitomizes the quintessential rags-to-riches motif prevalent in 19th-century American literature. Through the character of Jed, a resilient orphan living in a poorhouse, Alger explores themes of social mobility, self-reliance, and the inherent dignity of hard work. The prose is characterized by its earnest simplicity, reflecting both the struggles and triumphs of the working class, while also serving as a critique of societal neglect towards the less fortunate. Alger'Äôs work situates itself within the literary context of his time, responding to... Edasi