Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward

"Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. This story follows a young boy named Mark, who sells matches on the streets of New York City while enduring hardships and abuse from his caregiver, Mother Watson. As Mark navigates his struggles, themes of resilience, friendship, and the hope for a better life are prevalent throughout the narrative. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Mark, a thinly-clad boy deeply affected by hunger and the harsh realities of street life. He returns home after a long day of trying to sell matches but is met with hostility and threats from Mother Watson, who only cares about the money he brings in. As he contemplates his situation, Mark begins to consider breaking free from this abusive arrangement. His fate takes a turn when he unexpectedly receives some money while resting on a ferryboat, igniting a spark of independence. This opening sets the stage for Mark's journey toward self-sufficiency as he ponders his future and contemplates the possibility of escaping his current life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Horatio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.