American Dream

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/project_syndicate/2012/06/the_american_dream_is_dying_here_s_how_we_can_fix_it_.html

The above link leads to an article which argues that the likely hood of one obtaining the American Dream is in decline, but however argues it can still be restored. 

The article stresses the growing inequality in contemporary American society. It does this by outlining the poor state of the economy and highlighting 'inequality indicators' such as average income levels, healthcare and life expectancy. It also argues that the wealthy 'at the top' benefit  'from exploiting the poor'  and that 'Those at the top, in such cases, are enriched at the direct expense of those at the bottom'. It finally ends stating that 'America can no longer regard itself as the land of opportunity that it once was.'. This suggests in order to 'restore' the American Dream improvement in 'equality' is the key.

This article relates to Ragged Dick as inequality is prominent throughout the novel as Dick is one of the few who achieves his 'American dream', and other inequality features are also present such as inequality in gender roles and clear racism.