After the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution was boosted in the north, and there was a mad rush for power in wealth. The United States surpassed Great Britain as number one in power after the instatement of Lassiez-faire Capitalism. This challenged many of the values of the time because it gave power to the rich and left poor, unemployed individuals powerless and penniless. The gap between the rich and poor began to widen, but in …showed first 75 words of 790 total…

…showed last 75 words of 790 total…a different person, someone that deserved respect and attention. Dick followed Whitney’s advice, and at the end of the novel, Dick was transformed, almost immediately, into a new, respectable young adult. This novel gave fresh hope to many who could relate to Dick. Young boys who read the novel were almost transformed themselves. Alger gave hope to those who had none, and attempted to show them how to succeed in this new Industrial society.