It's a Boy's World

We are able to notice very different views on boys in the 19th century compared to the stories about young girls. Boy's are more acceptable in the respect of growing up on the streets, working hard for their money and playing pranks or cracking jokes with people on the street. There is also a view different view on the relationship between young boys and their parents compared to the importance of parents for young girls.

We have know that it is easier for boys to make money in the city from The Hidden Hand and Capitola's struggle to make money as a young girl. We see from the beginning that Dick makes his money as black-booter and is very good at his job. Dick is able to enjoy the night life by his money as he explains to one customer, "Made it by shines, in course. My guardian don't allow me no money for theatres, so I have to earn it" (334). It is acceptable for young boys to work hard and enjoy their earnings in the night life. It would be a complete disgrace for young girls to work for their money this hard and then spend it late nights in a theatre or in late night bars.

We also see a completely different view of the relationship between parents, young girls and young boys. In our previous stories, parents are a key role in a young girl's life; teaching them manners, religious ways and how to be educated in society. We see a mention of Johnny Nolan's father and see his role as a figure is far away from what we are used to seeing in these stories. It mentions that "He had a father living, but he might as well have been without one." (349). It shows the complete difference between young girls and young boys; it helps the reader see that young boys are able to be more independent without parents and are not dependent on their help.