How did Rick view winning the Pulitzer Prize?

Rick was thrilled about winning the Pulitzer Prize. He almost thought that he deserved it. He still had a hard time believing that a kid from such poverty could truly be part of the world of success. But mostly, Rick looked at the award as a validation of the sacrifices his mother made to get him out of the life he was born into. The prize was more hers than his in his eyes, so he made sure that she came to New York City to share it with him as he received it.