This is a well-rounded story which drives home a moral. The young idler is glad to return to his job after his experiences as a hobo. S. Rankin Drew, Rose Tapley, Darwin Karr and others appear in this strongly handled production. The photography is clear and pleasing. - The Moving Picture World, April 4, 1914
2 Reviews
Displays the sickness of the American "Undeserving Poor" myth.
The_Melancholic_Alcoholic24 March 2022
This short wants to be a vapid cheerleader of the idea that Nature is stronger than Nurture. The rich couple took in a poor lad, but alas! Despite the advantages of his surroundings, he's not any good any way. But since they've reared him for 15 years or more, it actually shows that THEIR spoiling of the boy made him act irresponsible, NOT his "nature".
Incidentally, it also drives home the "Undeserving poor" myth: the poor are poor because of their innate nature, not because of their surroundings. This has proven to be nonsense by history, in America alone, the Irish, Italians, Asians, have proven that, when not confronted with huge barriers of discrimination, they can thrive. If they had been innately doomed to fail, they wouldn't be as successful as they are now.
Incidentally, it also drives home the "Undeserving poor" myth: the poor are poor because of their innate nature, not because of their surroundings. This has proven to be nonsense by history, in America alone, the Irish, Italians, Asians, have proven that, when not confronted with huge barriers of discrimination, they can thrive. If they had been innately doomed to fail, they wouldn't be as successful as they are now.
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