My Disreputable Friend, Mr. Raegen
The narrative follows Rags Raegen, a young man entrenched in a life of crime, who finds himself on the run after a violent altercation with Pike McGonegal. As he escapes through the rooftops of the city, he reflects on his past and the precarious nature of his existence. Rags is not in his familiar territory, which heightens his anxiety as he navigates unfamiliar buildings while evading the police. In a moment of desperation, he takes refuge in an abandoned apartment, where he unexpectedly encounters a small child, Margaret, who is alone and vulnerable. This encounter profoundly affects Rags, stirring feelings of protectiveness and responsibility that he has never experienced before. As he cares for her, he grapples with his own identity and the choices that have led him to this moment. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Rags' internal conflict between his criminal instincts and the emerging paternal instincts he feels towards the child. He is torn between the urge to flee and the desire to stay and protect her. The narrative explores themes of innocence, redemption, and the possibility of change, as Rags begins to see himself through the eyes of the child. As the police close in, Rags faces a critical decision: to abandon his old life and take responsibility for Margaret or to escape and continue down his destructive path. Ultimately, he chooses to confront his past and seek help for the child, leading to a moment of self-sacrifice and transformation. The story concludes with Rags turning himself in, having realized that his bond with Margaret has changed him for the better. He reflects on the impact of their relationship and the hope that they can build a new life together, free from the influences of his former life. The narrative encapsulates the struggle for redemption and the power of love to inspire change, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1901 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Crime Fiction · 7,848 words
First lines
Rags Raegen was out of his element. The water was his proper element -- the water of the East River by preference. And when it came to "running the roofs," as he would have himself expressed it, he was "not in it."
What this Textopian page supports
My Disreputable Friend, Mr. Raegen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Crime Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary
- Length: 7,848 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Disreputable Friend, Mr. Raegen by Richard Harding Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Disreputable Friend, Mr. Raegen?
- How does this short story by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Maurice Kinane by Louis Becke
- Telemachus Friend by O. Henry
- The Intelligence Office by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Cope Enlivens The Country by Henry Blake Fuller
- The Devils Pool by George Sand
- The Broad Highway by Jeffery Farnol
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of identity, morality, and redemption through character-driven narratives.
- Drama — The plot centers around intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles, particularly the protagonist's relationship with the child.
- Crime Fiction — The story involves criminal elements, including a police chase and the protagonist's past as a street tough.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes significant personal growth and transformation, particularly in his relationship with the child.
Tags
Adventure · Friendship · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Romance · Mystery · Suspense · Literary Fiction · Realism · American Literature