A classic example of upward mobility and the rise to success is Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". Gatsby whose real name is James Gatz came from a poor background, his parents were farmers. One day when he tips off a man in his yacht of an approaching storm the man, Dan Cody, takes him under his wing and teaches him of a sophisticated life and mentored him in a life of luxury. He changes his name and for the next few years learns the ways of the wealthy. He decides to go to war (WW1) and during his training falls in love with Daisy Fay, a rich girl from a powerful family in Louisville. While away in war Daisy marries a wealthy man, Tom Buchanan, and when Gatsby finds out he decides to commit his life to becoming a man of the wealth and stature he believes will win Daisy's heart. When Gatsby returns to New York which is in the middle of the Jazz-age, he takes advantage of the prohibition and makes vast amounts of money from bootlegging. He purchases a huge mansion and hosts elaborate and luxurious parties whom everyone attends, all in the hopes of luring Daisy back into his arms.
Even though this is a fictional story from it's time period there are many truths behind the story. Gatsby is one of the most classic cases of upward mobility in american literature. But if you didn't pick up on how he made his money it was by bootlegging, smuggling alcohol during prohibition, which was illegal. He didn't make his money through honest hard work, so does that mean the only way someone who is poor can rise in the social pyramid is by making profit illegally? And if so is that truly finding success or is it just cheating your way to the top? Those are two questions that real apply to today and upward mobility in todays economy. Our economy is run by big businesses and corporations, and the jobs that are available to people in poverty aren't enough to put someone in the position to raise to wealth and power. And although prohibition ended and bootlegging isn't exactly a business anymore, what risks will people take to earn a little money to put food on the table, or pay this months rent. Crime rates raise with poverty and I think theres a simple explanation, people will do anything to survive and take care of a family, and if they aren't provided with the opportunities and availability to jobs, how else will they make money unless they deal in things illegal like drugs and theft.
Even though this is a fictional story from it's time period there are many truths behind the story. Gatsby is one of the most classic cases of upward mobility in american literature. But if you didn't pick up on how he made his money it was by bootlegging, smuggling alcohol during prohibition, which was illegal. He didn't make his money through honest hard work, so does that mean the only way someone who is poor can rise in the social pyramid is by making profit illegally? And if so is that truly finding success or is it just cheating your way to the top? Those are two questions that real apply to today and upward mobility in todays economy. Our economy is run by big businesses and corporations, and the jobs that are available to people in poverty aren't enough to put someone in the position to raise to wealth and power. And although prohibition ended and bootlegging isn't exactly a business anymore, what risks will people take to earn a little money to put food on the table, or pay this months rent. Crime rates raise with poverty and I think theres a simple explanation, people will do anything to survive and take care of a family, and if they aren't provided with the opportunities and availability to jobs, how else will they make money unless they deal in things illegal like drugs and theft.