Concern for Others

Concern for others is a major theme of the book. Most of the characters, no matter how poor they are, are concerned for others and willing to share and help. Whenever Ragged Dick has money, he buys meals for other boys who can't afford to pay for a meal. This is how he becomes roommates with Henry Fosdick. The same is true of Mark who buys a meal for Ben Gibson when he can't afford one. They all know what it means to be hungry and not have enough money for food. Ben doesn't like the way that Mother Watson treats Mark and helps Mark make the break with the cruel woman. He helps Mark learn how to survive on his own by showing him where to beg, how to sleep on the ferry and bringing him to the Newsboys Lodging House. Dick never hesitates to...