Free Great Gatsby Essays: The Ideal Self †Made Man :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Great Gatsby and the Ideal Self Made Man   In the same way that the all-embracing concept of the American Dream suffered trustworthy degradation during the course of its historical development, so, too, the noble 19th century ideal of the self-made man was conveniently adapted to suit the moral climate of the 1920s. Referring to Fitzgeralds earn(prenominal) character in his novel The Great Gatsby, the young James Gatz is obviously modeled in this aspect of personality upon Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), who is of go quoted as the earliest example of this particular type of homo americanus. As the youngster of a big family he soon went to work for his father, at the age of only ten after only two years of schooling. After his apprenticeship as a printer he concentrated on educating himself trough reading. In 1818 Franklins Autobiography was published, which contains miscellaneous enumerations of moral virtues he met with in his reading to arrive at moral perfection. His intention was to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, so he found it let out not to distract his attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix on one of them at a time, and if he should be master of that, he would proceed to another, and so on, till he should have gone trough them. These names of virtues, with their precepts, were TemperanceEat not to dullness drink not to elevation. SilenceSpeak not but what may benefit others or yourself avoid trifling conversation. OrderLet all your things have their places let for each one part of your business have its time. ResolutionResolve to perform what you ought perform without fail what you resolve. FrugalityMake no expense but do practiced to others or yourself i.e. waste nothing. IndustryLose no time be always employed in something useful cut off all needless actions. SincerityUse no hurtful deceit think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. JusticeWrong none by doing injuries, or c ommitting the benefits that are your duty. abstinenceAvoid extremes forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. CleanlinessTolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. TranquilityBe not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. ChastityRarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation.