Herbert's Coming Of Age In 'Do And Dare'

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Do and Dare tells the story of a strong young man whom is coming of age, due to his father's passing. The protagonist, Herbert Carr, has to step up and become the head of the house. He does this by helping his mother out and defending her against The squire and Mr. Graham. Horatio Alger JR., explains Herbert's recent tragedies to create an emotional tie to the reader through the use of strong characterization and by creating a centralized theme of a young man coming of age at an advanced time. Mr. Carr’s death impacted Herbert’s life and his family in many negative ways. Herbert's mother has been working Mr. Carr’s job as a postmaster since his passing and all of the village people agreed with her filling his position, except for Mr. Graham. He wanted to take the postmaster job away from their family because “but I am opposed upon principle to conferring offices upon women” (Horatio Alger). Therefore …show more content…

Graham. He does this by composing advanced level conversations between Herbert and the adults. The squire assisted in Herbert’s maturing, through their conversation about who is going to take his father's job and why his mother is losing it. “No, sir, I am aware of that; but the postmaster general will be influenced by the recommendations of people in the village”(Alger). This quote shows Herbert stepping up and trying to convince the squire that his mother knows how to do this job and that if the village people are for her keeping the job then he should allow her to also. Mr. Graham made Herbert mature quicker because he made Herbert realize that “He is about the meanest man in town”(Alger). Herbert now sees that not all people care and want to help others like his father did. He disagrees with the fact that his father went to war for Mr. Graham and now he is returning the favor by taking over the post office due to his “... means to be a rich

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