Good points. The New Yorker made somewhat the same points on Alger Horatio say in context of ragged dick. Horatio never dealt with racism or class hierarchies.

Good points. The New Yorker made somewhat the same points on Alger Horatio say in context of ragged dick. Horatio never dealt with racism or class hierarchies. And his villans are simplistic. There was no murder or rape. And it was implied that fraudsters (as one example) knew they were doing wrong almost as if they had internalized morals but ultimately never followed them. So again no serious engagement of human nature. Moreover dick was helped by a Christian rich person --- to the good in intent and result--- but it leaves a lot left unexplored too. In this way lord of the flies is another take worth reading