The sense of the 'American Dream' can still be seen throughout the contemporary world in media, people, culture, etc. For example Drake's song 'Started from the Bottom' is a modern example of the idea in the
'American Dream' that anyone can make something of themselves with hard work and be successful.
"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." - Oprah Winfrey. This contemporary statement relates to the 'American Dream' with the idea of the ability to change your future and also relates to success. Oprah Winfrey also had a bad childhood just like Ragged Dick. She had an unmarried teenage mother who traveled north leaving Oprah with her Grandmother in Mississippi, for her first six years in poverty, having to wear dresses made out of potato sacks. Similarly Dick had was in poverty with no parents and had to wear worn out clothing sizes too big. Although she was taught to read by the age of 3 by her Grandmother. At six she moved away with her mother who ended up giving birth to 3 more children, 2 of which died due to cocaine addictions and AIDS. Winfrey has stated she was molested by her cousin, uncle, and a family friend, starting when she was nine years old, When discussed the alleged abuse with family members at age 24, they refused to accept what she said. After suffering years of abuse, she ran away from home at the age of 13 and became pregnant at 14 but her son died shortly after birth.
She moved back in with her mother but she started stealing money from her so was sent to live with her dad. Her dad made education her priority and she soon became an honors student. This can be seen in Ragged Dick where the help of adults get him further on in life to become something better. For Example, Mr Greyson taking him to church and Frank's Uncle giving him his first five dollars to save up. Without the help of the adults the story would not be the same.
Oprah got her big break at 17 when she won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant, which came with a job at a local radio station and a university scholarship. She left university to focus on broadcasting. She was offered a job at a struggling Chicago television show which was later renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and syndicated nationally. After winning a series of Emmys she founded Harpo Productions to focus on producing television, movies and magazines. Now off-air the 59 year old managed to top Forbes' list of the 100 most powerful celebrities with earnings of more than $77 million in the last year. This shows the element of luck which is seen throughout Ragged Dick. Dick was lucky to meet the wealthy figures that helped him achieve, such as when he overhears Frank and his Uncle, luckily being in the right place at the right time. Pluck is also a big element as without his street sense and knowledge and his willingness to work and save money he would not achieve as much and not be so 'lucky'. Oprah also had luck with winning a job at a radio station and university scholarship. Her pluck of hard work and focus on broadcasting is what made her succeed in getting her own TV show.
So it can be seen that the 'American Dream' can still be seen in contemporary and modern situations, seeing people go from 'rags to riches' just like in the story of Ragged Dick. The contemporary statement"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." is valid in both Ragged Dick and Oprah as they both have to change their ways to create a future for themselves; Dick not gambling but instead saving money and Oprah making Education her priority. Therefore the notion of that 'American Dream' and creating yourself a new future with success and happiness is still being achieved today.
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