A self-made man is someone who comes from a low status family and against all odds, climbs up the social ladder and creates a new identity for themself gaining wealth along the way. The only way to achieve success is through determination, hard-work, initiative, and being able to learn from mistakes. And in order to fulfill your goals, it helps to have something/someone motivating you along the way. Moreover, the self-made man is the embodiment of the American Dream because they share similar principles. The honorable way to accomplish goals is through working hard, taking initiative, being determined, and allowing yourself to learn from your errors; this idea is the foundation of the self-made man and American Dream. If you abide by these …show more content…
He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind?...’” (Gatsby, 181-182). In this passage, Nick acquires new information about Gatsby after talking with Mr. Gatz. Nick realizes how hard Gatsby worked to change his old self and shape it into another form in which Daisy would approve of. Gatsby’s list reveals all the characteristics of a self-made man: worked hard to reinvent himself, took initiative over his own life, and showed determination towards his goal. Gatsby’s goal didn’t turn out they way he wanted, however he was lucky enough to be close to it. The amount of hard-work and effort you put towards something will always pay off. “As a young adult, Fong lacked the money to attend college. He worked for 3 years as a clerk in the Pearl Harbor Naval shipyard to save enough money for tuition…After graduation, Fong wished to attend law school, but again found his dreams deferred because of lack of funds. He worked full time for another 2 years…